Generous residents once again helped make Thanksgiving special for needy families through the Adopt-A-Family program promoted by the Somerset County Board of Freeholders and mayors in the county’s 21 municipalities.

The Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP), received $5,410 in donations; the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, $4,510; the Hillsborough Food Pantry, $4,011; the Reformed Church of Bound Brook Soup Kitchen, $640; and the Franklin Township Food Bank, $340, for a total of $14,911. 

A $40 donation, or any amount, was requested to provide a Thanksgiving meal to a family of four.  Donors could designate which town their donation would go to, if they wished.  The amount collected this year represents a 43-percent increase over last year’s total of $10,402, which in turn was a 140-percent jump in donations from the previous year.  Since its inception in 2010, the program has raised a total of $37,267.

“What a tremendous outpouring of support from our residents!” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh.  “We often hear that people want to help others within their own community, and this is a perfect way for residents to earmark donations to help feed needy families in their own towns.” 

The Adopt-A-Family program was created by Ray Walsh of Manville (no relation to Freeholder Walsh). “Our local food banks have seen a tremendous increase in the number of people seeking help during the past few years due to the recession,” said Ray Walsh.  “The goal of the Adopt-A-Family program is to make Somerset County the first in New Jersey to feed all of its needy residents.”