LACEY - More than a 100 local families will have a nice
Thanksgiving holiday due to the generosity of the local
Rotary, Lacey Food Bank and volunteer efforts of students
from Lacey High School.
"Every year, this event gets bigger and
bigger," said Guy Burnett, chairman of the Lacey
Township Food Bank. "We went from only 45 families
about four years ago to 116 families that were served this
year."
About 15 adult volunteers helped to set up the several
tables of food that had everything from vegtables to snacks
and even blankets and comforters that were available for the
needy. The Rotary donated 100 turkeys and 100 bags of
"fixings" that included dinner rolls, stuffing,
potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie.
"We had extra tables of food in addition to the two
bags of groceries that the attendees received," Burnett
said. "They each left here with at least five bags of
goodies plus a turkey, so it was a good day for all of
us."
Burnett said the requirements for the Food Bank program
deals with income verifications and most attendees are part
of the food stamp program or participate in the WIC (women,
infant, children) program.
There were about 40 students from the Lacey High School
Interact Club who helped to make the day a special event.
The Interact Club are made up of "Junior"
Rotarians who come together to help those who are needy in
the community.
"We use event to introduce our younger students
about what we do," said Julie Pignatora, club advisor
and health specialist at Lacey High School. "It's
really a group effort and the students really get a feel for
what it's like to make a community contribution of their
time."
Pignatora said this event is good practice for the
Christmas event which will occur on Dec.10 when the students
will shop for the children of the community at Target. On
Dec.12 food baskets will be wrapped and on Dec.14 the
baskets and toys will be delivered with hams donated by the
Honor Society.
"We would not be able to do any of these events
without the support of our administration," Pignatora
said. "We appreciate the time they allow us to come
into the community. It makes everyone so happy."
The Lacey Township Food Bank welcomes contributions from
the local community. For additional information, call (609)
693-8703 or send a donation to 818 W. Lacey Road, Forked
River, NJ 08731. The Web site is www.laceyfoodbank.org.
Published in the Times Beacon Newspapers
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