Lunch Break Holiday Giveaway Helps More Monmouth Families

RED BANK, NJ — At the Lunch Break annual Holiday Toy and Gift Card Giveaway, more families than ever were able to choose from hundreds of donated presents for their children.

Dozens of volunteers at Tower Hill First Presbyterian Church in Red Bank welcomed families Dec. 9 to halls filled with toys, stuffed animals, musical instruments and other holiday presents.

This year 504 families and 1,182 children received gifts — a significant increase over 2022, according to the organization.

In late fall, Lunch Break, the social service organization and food pantry, transformed its warehouse into a winter workshop, courtesy of business community members and supporters who got into the holiday spirit by purchasing new toys and gift cards for children ages newborn to 17 years. All were provided to families free of charge.

“The Holiday Toy Program is a labor of love. We look forward to helping our families alleviate the stress of having to provide gifts for their children when they're struggling under the weight of bills and housing payments. We hope to make this the best holiday ever for our families,” said Intake and Resource Navigator Fatima Carranza.

In addition to the gifts, this year hundreds of holiday trees were donated by online provider King of Christmas and longtime benefactor Pete Hogan. They were offered to families as an added surprise.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this year’s wonderful turnout. Many families were treated to toys, gifts and trees,” said Lunch Break Executive Director Gwendolyn Love. “I am grateful to our community partners and donors, Tower Hill Church members, King of Christmas, and staff members Fatima Carranza and Angela Jackson for coordinating the event and recruiting help.”

Mrs. Love continued, “We are grateful for our incredible volunteers who, each year, make this giveaway a complete success. We couldn't do it without their support.”

Lunch Break is a nonprofit organization located in Red Bank, providing food, clothing, housing solutions, life skills, and fellowship to residents of greater Monmouth County. All Lunch Break services are free. Visit www.lunchbreak.org.