Lacey's Backward Flag Brewing Co. Collecting Donations For Afghan Refugees

LACEY, NJ — Backward Flag Brewing Co. in Forked River is collecting donations for refugees who will be temporarily housed in New Jersey after being evacuated from Afghanistan.

The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will provide temporary housing to Afghan refugees as the United States withdraws its military presence, federal officials said Monday. The refugees, who are waiting at U.S. military bases in Germany, Qatar and Bahrain, will receive housing, medical and other support.

Read more: Afghan Refugees Headed To Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

“Backward Flag Brewing will be taking donations for the refugees who have been able to escape Afghanistan. Many of our brothers and sisters have fought to give these people an opportunity at a better life. That fight and dedication has not ended,” brewery owner Torie Fisher wrote on Facebook. “So many continue to work now behind the scenes to assist our allies and their families to get out of Afghanistan safely. Sometimes ‘support the troops’ looks very different than the bumper sticker on your car.”

The following items are needed for adults and children:

• bottled water
• female conservative clothes (nothing tight fitting)
• male clothes
• winter jackets
• new shoes
• gloves
• feminine hygiene pads
• wheelchairs
• walkers and canes
• smart phones
• female scarves
• diapers
• kids clothes
• formula
• baby bottles
• pacifiers
• baby wipes
• soccer balls
• toys that don’t have instructions (blocks/trucks)
• pencils and crayons
• notebooks
• school supplies

Donations can be dropped off during regular operating hours at 699 Challenger Way in Forked River. The brewery is open Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Anyone with a large donation can email Fisher at torie@backwardflagbrewing.com to make arrangements.

Backward Flag Brewing Co. is a veteran-owned, women-owned craft brewery. Fisher told Patch last year that she served in the U.S. Army for 13 years before she founded the brewery in 2015.

The collection is being led by the American Red Cross with support from the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce. Backward Flag Brewing Co. is currently among five other drop-off locations that are in Tinton Falls, Marlboro and Piscataway.

"We will welcome Afghan refugees with open arms here in New Jersey at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst," Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted on Monday. "Our state has always served as a shining beacon of hope to the world, and we will do everything in our power to help these refugees rebuild their lives."

Joint Base officials said they will release detailed information on where and how people can provide donations or support for the refugees "once we've identified the proper avenues with the appropriate aid agencies."

With reporting by Karen Wall, Patch staff.

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