Brick Lions' Food Cupboard Aims To Fill Bellies, Inspire Helpers

BRICK, NJ — Lengthy closures and restrictions on a number of activities during the coronavirus pandemic have left thousands of people struggling to make ends meet in Ocean County, leaving many in need of food.

While food pantries large and small have stepped in to try to fill the need, the number of people still seeking food is significant.

To try to help those in need in Brick, the Brick Township Lions Club has created a local food cupboard for families in need. The cupboard is outdoors and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Tri-County Insurance on Route 88 in Brick.

The concept is simple: the cupboard is filled with nonperishable items — canned food, boxed food mixes and other items that will not spoil — and anyone who is in need can help themselves.

Those who are able are encouraged to donate nonperishables to keep the cupboard stocked.

Stephen Tunis, a longtime member of the Brick Lions Club who is leading the cupboard effort, said he was inspired to set it up after seeing a similar effort by the Smith family in Neptune City. Steve Smith built a Blessing Box out of scrap wood and placed it in front of his family’s home and filled it with food.

Smith’s effort was initially planned to be a temporary set-up during the holiday season, but the visible need in the community — and an outpouring of support sparked in part by news coverage that includes New York TV stations — have kept it going much longer.

Tunis, who is friends with Steve Smith and his wife, Rosalyn, said seeing the response to their effort was heartwarming. It also fills a need for the Lions Club, Tunis said.

“We don’t have a lot of service activities,” Tunis said, and that has led to members finding other ways to spend their time. He had been wanting to revitalize the club and spark interest in its work, and the food cupboard is a perfect way to start, he said.

“It’s so simple for us gets us out in the community and it’s such a simple concept,” Tunis said. “If you’re in need, take what you need, and for people who are in a different situation and able to give, they can do that.”

For those looking to donate to the effort, Tunis said the Lions have storage space available, thanks to help from Tri County Insurance.

His hope is that the effort to reach those in need and the number of donations will become sufficient enough eventually to expand the number of spots in town where the club places the food cupboards.

“Ideally, it would be good to get something on the north side and the south side of town,” he said.

And ideally, the club will flourish again with members able to volunteer as they did previously, when the club would raise money for items to assist those with disabilities. While the Lions Club’s primary focus is assisting the blind, the Brick group has purchased multiple beach wheelchairs for the township and helped pay for hearing aids for people in need.

“The first step is to get this one running and successful,” Tunis said.

The food cupboard is near the rear entrance of Tri County Insurance, 1875 Route 88 in Brick.

“Please take what you need, give what you can. No judgment, we are here to help,” the group says.

To find out how you can help or how you can make a donation, email bricktwplions@gmail.com or call 732-477-1010.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact karen.wall@patch.com