Hunger never takes a summer holiday.
Unfortunately, food donations to Somerset County food banks decline during the summer, and just weeks before school starts, food banks are suffering from a critical shortage of supplies.
“The summer months are always difficult for food banks like ours, with more families needing support and fewer donations coming in. However, this summer we are under a lot of pressure with almost twice as many families in need,” said Kellyann Gallagher, co-founder of the Raritan Food Pantry. “We are not alone at the Raritan Food Pantry, so I encourage everyone to donate to their local food bank or to one of Somerset County’s orange Curbing Hunger collection bins located in libraries, parks and city halls.”
To facilitate food donations, Somerset County has expanded its Curbing Hunger program to operate year-round beginning in June 2024.
The food drive is organized by the county in partnership with local nonprofit Curbing Hunger, Inc. During the drive, residents can donate at over 24 convenient drop-off locations throughout Somerset County or make a monetary contribution online.
The large orange donation containers can be found at various locations throughout Somerset County.
“One of the great things about Somerset County is that we are always there when we see someone in need, but unfortunately, in many cases, we are unable to see that family or friend is struggling to afford the food they need,” said Shanel Y. Robinson, Director of the Somerset County Commission. “Please pick up extra black beans, pasta, diapers or other needed items at the grocery store this weekend to donate to local food banks via Somerset County’s bright orange Curbing Hunger bins so these people and their children can get the healthy food they need.”
These items are required by the food banks:
- Canned goods – soups, tomato sauce, fruit, vegetables
- Packaged, long-life milk
- Grain
- Dried noodles
- Peanut butter and jelly in plastic jars
- Baby food, baby milk
- Detergents, cleaning agents
- Paper towels, toilet paper, tissues
- Shower gel/soap, shampoo
- Deodorant, toothpaste
- Feminine hygiene products
- Diapers
Items that cannot be donated include:
- Fresh, perishable foods
- Food in glass containers
- Expired food
Somerset County and Curbing Hunger have partnered for nearly three decades to collect food donations in June exclusively through the county’s recycling program.
But this year, the program is transitioning to a year-round giving program to increase the flow of donations while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.
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