Summer Food Donations Needed For Lunch Break Pantry, Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ — Volunteers and staff at the social services agency Lunch Break need to stock up on extra food for the summer to keep families - and their children - fed without the support of school-based programs. And Lunch Break could use the help of the community.

To stock the shelves in anticipation of the school year’s end, an additional 50,000 pounds of food will be needed to feed the families who depend on food banks this summer, the agency says.

Lunch Break has stepped up its food-insecurity programs, hoping to get more fresh produce and healthy ingredients, both donated and purchased.

“The skyrocketing cost of food has really impacted the people we serve,” says Client Choice Supervisor Beth Sherrard. From January to April, the Client Choice Pantry has recorded upwards of 5,900 grocery pickups, with more than 30,000 meals served through its kitchen. “We trust that the community will mobilize, as they always have, to help us provide nutritious food for our families.”

Lunch Break has a major construction project going on to expand the facility, so the organization provided some guidance on how to obtain or drop off food items:

• Client Choice Pantry is at a temporary location at 10 Drs. James Parker Boulevard in Red Bank. Go to Suite 105. Hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. See the Lunch Break website for the visiting schedule.
• Food and pantry donations currently can be made at the warehouse, 968 Shrewsbury Ave., Unit 5, Tinton Falls, Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Monetary donations are accepted at the Life Skills Center, 648 Broad St., Shrewsbury.

Churches, organizations, companies and community members are being asked to host food drives during June, Lunch Break says.

Lunch Break will provide assistance in terms of guidance, and, for larger drives, will arrange pick-up of items.

Lunch Break will accept any non-perishable food items with an emphasis on nutritional versions of cereals, canned vegetables and ready-to-eat meals.

For more information, contact Director of Food Operations Adam Smith, asmith@lunchbreak.org, 732-747-8577, ext. 3050.

Lunch Break notes that, during construction, dining room services and Clara's Closet operations are at St. Anthony of Padua Parish Center, 27 Herbert St., Red Bank.

Lunch Break provides food, clothing, housing solutions, life skills and fellowship to residents of greater Monmouth County. All Lunch Break services are free.