'Food Pantries In Dire Need': Drive-By Donation Set In Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, NJ — The Montgomery Charity Foundation is hosting its third annual Kidsgiving event Sunday with a drive-by food donation and holiday festivities.

This year the beneficiaries are the Hillsborough and Montgomery Food Pantries and Steps-Together, a local 501c3 that supports Somerset County families facing medical crises like childhood cancer.

The foundation is looking for people to drop off nonperishable unexpired food items or donate gift cards/gifts.

"Food pantries are in dire need and they are seeing increases during COVID as some people can't get out or have lost their jobs," said Marisa Narula, a board member of the Montgomery Charity Foundation. "It's very sad. We are trying to help to replenish the pantries after Thanksgiving."

Kidsgiving event information:

• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Drive-By Event at Code Ninjas, 649 Route 206, Hillsborough
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Santa Claus and Elf on the Shelf appearance
• Goodie bags for first 75 families
• Stay in car and drop food/gifts, masks, socially-distanced
• Buy now Gift Basket Auction: https://bit.ly/MCFbaskets

List of items most needed at the food pantry:

• Boxed Cereal and Oatmeal
• Bisquick baking mix - for biscuits, pancakes, etc.
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Tuna, Chicken, Turkey
• Boxed Cake Mix & Icing
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauces (Jar)
• Hearty Soups
• Canned pasta meals such as Chef Boyardee Beefaroni, Spaghetti & Meatballs, etc.
• Laundry Detergent
• Dish Detergent
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Bar Soap
• Deodorant
• Toothbrushes, Toothpaste
• Feminine Products
• Razors & Shaving Cream
• Hand Sanitizer
• Disposable Masks

Local businesses are also teaming up to help with Kidsgiving by donating part of their proceeds to the charities, including:

• 20 percent of sales during the event will be donated to Kidsgiving from Sweetberry Bowls
• 20 percent of dinner/takeout that night will be donated by Caffe Piazza
• Free Future Coding Session for donors from Code Ninjas

"The amount of generosity from local businesses, even in this time of COVID has been shocking," said Rupal Shah, founder of Montgomery Charity Foundation. "They have always supported us in the past but I wasn't expecting too much this year because everyone is hurting. But I was shocked to see how much we received."

Shah has held this annual event over the past three years with a great response from the community. Normally the fundraiser is held in person, getting about 350 people. Determined to still hold the event and help the community, Shah is hoping the drive-by event will still draw locals out.

"COVID has taken such a toll on families — whether they have lost someone or whether they lost a job. There has also been a lot more of isolation in the community. There is a tremendous amount of need, more than ever, in the community to support each other," said Shah. "More than ever we are calling out to the universe, calling out to the world, calling out to the community, to give back."

For more information on Kidsgiving or to donate virtually click here.

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 about a local organization that should be profiled, contact alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.