Long Valley Business Partners With Food Bank To Help Families In Need

LONG VALLEY, NJ — This holiday season, residents are invited to take photos with Santa for a good cause.

Hoffman's Supply in Long Valley will be having its annual Pictures with Santa event starting this weekend. For nearly 30 years, the family-owned and operated hardware store and garden center has been hosting pictures with Santa as a fundraiser for the Long Valley Food Pantry.

This year, the Grinch will also be making an appearance, the business told Patch.

Residents will be able to stop by the store, located at 35 E Mill Rd., Long Valley, for pictures between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

All interested parties will need to bring a $5 donation or a new, unwrapped toy to take a photo. Pets are also welcome to the event but must be leashed.

Here are the dates:

• Dec. 2: Santa (proceeds benefit Long Valley food pantry)
• Dec. 9: Grinch (proceeds benefit the Long Valley First Aid Squad)
• Dec. 16: Santa (proceeds benefit Long Valley food pantry)

The Long Valley Food Pantry holds a "Sponsor a Wreath" campaign during the holidays to adorn the fences along Ort Farm. This event generates a big amount of their annual donations, and with the rising cost of wreaths, administrators noticed less money was going to the food bank.

"We decided to purchase artificial wreaths that can be used for multiple years. Hoffman’s Supply paid for all 250 wreaths we purchased. That means thousands of dollars annually will go directly to the food pantry instead of purchasing live wreaths," the Long Valley Community Assistance Program said.

As of Nov. 6, the food pantry is low on the following items:

• Juice Boxes for Kids
• Snacks for Kids Lunch Boxes
• Coffee (No K-Cups)
• Ramen Noodles - Chicken Flavor
• Pasta Sauce
• Canned Tuna
• Canned Chicken
• Feminine Pads
• Toothpaste
• Jelly
• Peanut Butter
• Shampoo
• Body Wash
• Paper Products (paper towels, toilet paper)
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Mixed Vegetables
• Canned Beans (Red, White & Black)