'Stuff The Bus' Campaign Delivers Supplies To Long Valley Food Pantry

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The "Stuff the Bus" campaign was brought back this year, with local schools collecting a variety of groceries to help fill pantries just in time for the holiday season.

On Friday, Oct. 21, a school bus collected all donated items from schools. Then, on Saturday, Oct. 22, students from all grades helped sort and separate everything at the Long Valley Presbyterian Church on Bartley Road's food pantry.

The Stuff the Bus program began as a project to collect school supplies for underprivileged children, but it has grown into a nationwide program for many causes, and it has been used as a community outreach event in Long Valley to help all residents in need.

Despite the fact that the event was deemed a success, the Long Valley Food Pantry could still use a few more supplies to meet anticipated demand this holiday season.

According to Laura Winters, LVCAP Director and President, the food pantry could use the following items:

• Boxed chicken or beef broth
• Canned chili
• Canned fruit (in juice)
• Canned meats
• Cleaning supplies
• Cold cereal
• Condiments/Spices
• Snack bars
• Cookies/Crackers
• Pop tarts
• Cooking oil
• Detergent (dish and laundry)
• Juices
• Feminine hygiene products
• Nutella
• Salad dressing (especially ranch)
• Mayonnaise
• Sanitizing wipes
• Sugar
• Spaghetti
• Toilet paper
• White rice
• Shelf-stable milk
• Vinegar
• Zip top bags

All donations can be brought to the Long Valley Presbyterian Church on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The food pantry is open for shopping at the church from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays.