Fresh Produce, Shelf-Stable Items Needed For Chatham Food Pantry

CHATHAM, NJ — About 50 families in Chatham benefit each week from the Chatham Community Food Distribution through the Chatham United Methodist Church, with the pantry in need of fresh produce, shelf-stable food and toiletry donations, to continue to give a helping hand during the summer months.

“Summers are especially challenging for the Food Distribution and Pantry,” said Len Resto, who volunteers with the initiative, as well as serves as a Chatham Borough Councilman. “Donations typically fall off as people head for vacation and/or are busy with activities.”

Resto said about 75 Chatham students - who would normally qualify for a free lunch in school each day through a federal program - won’t see that benefit again until school starts again in September. However, one of the food distribution and pantry volunteers Laura Bonjanowski has been able to organize shelf-stable lunches for these students until school is back in session, Resto said.

“Despite the economy slowly coming back to life, unemployment and under-employment remain high, with people working multiple jobs to make ends meet,” he continued.

“While the job market has improved, we have yet to see our numbers coming each week, decrease significantly,” Resto also said.

No one is turned away, he added and anyone who is “food insecure” may get food from the pantry, with people working multiple service jobs and seniors among the most impacted in the community.

Every Wednesday afternoon between 2:30 and 4 p.m., Resto said about 30 representatives - some picking up for more than one family in-need - line their cars up behind the church for food pickups.

How To Help

Resto said there are a number of ways people can give to the pantry. Among them:

• Fresh produce donations - For a $40 donation, people can click here to donate a box of produce, gallon of milk and dozen eggs. Produce may include romaine hearts, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, onions, a pint of blueberries, apples, oranges and a cantaloupe. Donors can choose the day they’d like to donate. To donate more than a box, call April Kabbash at 908-485-7275.
• Shelf-stable food donations - dried and canned beans, peanut butter, cereals, packaged snacks, flour, sugar, cooking oil, condiments, salad dressings, canned vegetables and other canned and boxed food items, are among some of the things the food pantry currently needs. Diapers and diaper cream, baby wipes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, shaving cream, disposable razors, deodorants and anti-perspirants, feminine hygiene products, shampoos, conditioners, soaps and hairspray, are some of the toiletries also accepted. The pantry additionally stocks dishwashing and laundry detergents. To donate any of these items, they can be dropped to the Chatham United Methodist Church’s pantry at the back of the church.
• Monetary donations - Donations to help can be made online and paid by check. To donate online visit the church website at www.chathamumc.org. Checks can be written out to Chatham United Methodist Church and earmarked “Covid Food Relief,” then mailed to the church at: 460 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928; or mailed to Len Resto at 35 Center Street, Chatham, NJ 07928. Contact Resto with question at 201-486-1077 or email lenresto@optonline.net.

Resto said the last food drive on May 15, with the help of Chatham Borough and Township and Green Village Fire Departments and Chatham Sub Acute Care Center, helped to restock the shelves.

“Our thanks to all who contributed and the firefighters who gave their time to support the food drive,” Resto said.

“This is a true community effort and we’re coming into a season of real need,” Resto said about the anticipated drop in donations. “Every donation is appreciated.”

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.