Members of the ACUA collection team, Matt Shockley, Adrian Ramos and David Sanabria, retrieved food donations along their route and delivered them to the Community FoodBank of NJ Southern Branch for distribution to families who need food.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s collection team delivered 12,253 pounds of non-perishable food, diapers and other donations to Community FoodBank of New Jersey as part of the authority’s 33rd annual Holiday Food Drive.
The drive provides a convenient opportunity for residents to donate to those in need on their recycling day. ACUA’s team collected items during a two-week period between Dec. 4 and 15. Since it began in 1991, the drive has collected more than 1 million pounds of donations.
“Thank you to the many residents that generously donated to the drive this year,” ACUA President Matthew DeNafo said in a news release. “We’re happy to offer this opportunity and partner with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey on their important work to keep our community healthy and fed.”
Nearly 70,000 people in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties are food insecure, including one-in-five children. Rising food costs have greatly impacted many families, placing more demand on local food banks to fulfill needs, according to the release.
“Sadly, for some people the holiday season doesn’t bring joy and cheer due to their inability to put meals on their tables,” CFBNJ Food Sourcing Manager Jean Marie Gall said. “CFBNJ can’t fight the hunger battle alone. Thanks to the ACUA food drive, holiday meals will be provided to South Jersey residents who would have gone without.”
To learn how you can support the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, visit www.cfbnj.org. More information on ACUA and the Holiday Food Drive can be found at www.acua.com.
