Middlesex County Schedules Food Drive In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Service (MCFOODS) will conduct a food drive in East Brunswick on Saturday, the county announced.

The county has partnered with Playhouse 22 to restock food pantries in town. Those who wish to donate can do so at Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Volunteers will be stationed outside MCFOODS trucks and bins and will help take the items from the trunk or back seat. Social distancing rules apply, and community members are requested to not exit the vehicle. Only canned and packaged goods will be accepted.

Pantries in East Brunswick require rice, tuna fish, peanut butter, vegetables, canned meats, beans, soups, and pasta, personal products, baby items such as diapers, and paper towels.

Those wishing to make monetary donations can do so by visiting: https://www.feedingmiddlesexcounty.org/

When compared to 2019, the distribution center at East Brunswick saw a 79 percent increase in food distribution in March, and a 100 percent increase in April, said Jennifer Apostol, Director of MCFOODS. Due to statewide COVID-19 shutdown, MCFOODS has been unable to collect donations. Even the Spring School Food Drive was affected by the pandemic.

Local pantries are seeing a sharp increase in need, said the county. Keeping these hardships in mind, the county has eliminated paperwork, and made the process more streamlined, including offering drive-through or walk-in services.

You can access the MCFOODS’ directory of food pantries through this link: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/mcia/Pages/Mcfoods/mcfoods.asp

It has been updated to reflect changes in service.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.