June Collection to Benefit Local Food Banks

If you live in Somerset County, look for the orange Curbing Hunger bags tied to your recycling container this month.

County recycling crews are delivering the colorful collection bags for the annual Curbing Hunger food drive.  The plastic bags are being tied to the handles of recycling containers placed at the curb.  Each household will receive two bags.

The 19th annual Curbing Hunger food drive will be held in June to benefit organizations that help the hungry in Somerset County.  This year there is an easy online donation option as well.  Visit www.yougivegoods.com/curbinghunger2013 to select and purchase food to donate; YouGiveGoods will deliver the food items directly to the local food bank.

“Many families are still struggling due to the extended recession and Hurricane Sandy,” said Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer.  “The demand at our food banks continues to exceed supplies on a regular basis.  You can help by filling your orange bags – or any plastic grocery bag – with canned goods and placing them at the curb on your recycling pickup days from June 3 to June 28, or by donating online.”

Food supplies are traditionally low during the summer months, when school lunch programs close and there are no holiday food drives.  That’s why the Curbing Hunger food drive is held in June to help alleviate this annual shortage.  Donations are distributed to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County and to local food pantries, including the Franklin Township Food Bank.

Sponsors of the 2013 Curbing Hunger program include the Board of Freeholders, Curbing Hunger Inc., the Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com. Curbside collection of the food donations is done by county recycling crews and county and municipal public works employees.

If you miss either of your recycling days in June, curbside donations now are being collected year-round as well.  Use one of the orange bags or any plastic grocery bag to place canned food at the curb on any of your recycling collection days throughout the year.

Donations of non-perishable food also are accepted at the First Saturday of the Month recycling drop-offs held at the Somerset County Recycling Center at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater.