Firestone To Host Three-Day Food Drive

When Marc Caramucci, service manager at the Springfield Township Firestone, learned that the Center of United Methodist Aid in the Community (CUMAC) food bank in Paterson will run out of supplies at the end of the month, he said he and his wife knew they had to do something.

Caramucci, with the support of his coworkers and Firestone, will be hosting a three-day food drive at the auto care center, located at 661 Morris Turnpike, starting Friday. Anyone wishing to donate is encouraged to stop by from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. (A list of items recommended for donation is below.) While cash or checks will not be accepted, supermarket gift cards can be passed along to the food bank, which is facing a critical shortage.

“Our pantry is currently feeding record numbers, providing food for 3,100 individuals each month while our food depot is helping 55 smaller feeding programs provide for their clients,” Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Ames explained.  “We operate in an area of great need and we work with a limited budget to provide food for people who would otherwise go without.”

Caramucci knows what it means to need a helping hand. After he and his family lost their Wayne home during Hurricane Irene, the couple and their three children moved in with his in-laws, who own and run a farm in Towaco. Produce from the farm will also be donated to the food bank, Caramucci added.

“I’m hoping for a really good turnout and I’m hoping it makes a difference, even if it’s just for two people,” he said.

If the community responds generously, as he’s sure it will, Caramucci would like to host a food drive monthly, he said.

The following list is a guideline of frequently needed items:

•   Cereal – hot and cold

•   Breakfast bars, protein bars

•   Powdered, canned and evaporated milk

•   Baby food and formula

•   Canned vegetables & soups (regular & low-sodium)

•   Canned fruit (regular & low-sugar)

•   Dry beans, rice, pasta, packaged soup mix

•   Canned meals (chili, spaghetti, hash, stew, etc.)

•   Canned meats (tuna, chicken, Spam, etc.

•   Taco dinner boxes

•   Peanut Butter and Jelly

•   Raisins, other dried fruit

•   Canned drinks, juice boxes, powdered mixes, coffee, tea

•   Snacks, crackers, cookies

•   Protein supplement drinks (i.e. Ensure)

•   Spices (salt, pepper, garlic, etc.)

•   Condiments (mayo, ketchup, salad dressing, gravy, etc.)

•   Cake and muffin mixes 

For more information, visit CUMAC’s website or contact Firestone at  (973) 671-1169.