20th Annual Collection to Benefit Local Food Banks

Somerset County Freeholder Director Patrick Scaglione reminds Somerset County residents to look for the orange Curbing Hunger bags tied to their recycling containers 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 20th annual Curbing Hunger food drive will be held in June to benefit organizations that help the hungry in Somerset County.  There is an easy online donation option as well.  Visit www.CurbingHunger2014.org to select and purchase food to donate; the food items will be delivered directly to the local food bank.

"Somerset County has been proud to collaborate with Curbing Hunger Inc. to conduct this annual food drive that benefits so many people in our communities," said Freeholder Director Scaglione.  “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I want to thank Curbing Hunger Inc., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the many other community supporters of this very successful program, as well as our recycling and public works crews who do the curbside food collections each June.”

The demand at local 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 2 to June 27, 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 2014 Curbing Hunger program include the Board of Freeholders, Curbing Hunger Inc., the Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com and the Bridgewater law firm of Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus.  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.