Neighbor News
Jefferson Township Dems Feed Local Pantries
Township Democratic candidates spearhead fundraising effort, use funds to buy and distribute groceries to local pantries
Moved by the extraordinary need arising from the current Novel Coronavirus pandemic, Jefferson Township Democrats swung into action with some assistance: helping to supply the community’s local pantries.
To launch the effort, Christine Clarke, Jefferson Township Democratic Committee chair, set up a Food Pantry Friends Go-Fund-Me site. The fund-raising then became an all-out effort by the three Democratic candidates running for seats on the local municipal council, Pamela Fadden, Keith Peters and Maria Short.
With well over $1,000 raised, the four set out on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend and ‘shopped ‘til they dropped.’ That is, they dropped dozens of bags of groceries and supplies at two of the three local pantries: New Hope Food Pantry, operated by Milton United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, and the food pantry at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Lake Hopatcong.
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“We will soon be delivering groceries to the Hurdtown United Methodist Church in Lake Hopatcong as well,” Clarke said, adding that “the reception so far was wonderful.”
Clad in facial masks, it was one of the three candidates first forays – because of the statewide quarantine – out and about in the township. They shopped at both the Acme supermarket in Oak Ridge and at ShopRite in Succasunna. All three expressed enthusiasm about the effort.
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“We’re in this pandemic together. We have to help in whatever way we are able,” Fadden said.
“Yes, we are a community, and everyone is our neighbor,” Peters added.
“It’s all about neighbor helping neighbor,” Short noted, adding, “It’s what we do in Jefferson Township.”
Fadden, Peters and Short had announced their candidacy earlier this spring. Longtime residents, they are running for three open seats on the township’s municipal council.
Clarke said about $1,000 of fund-raising effort had been spent and noted that the Go-Fund-Me site was still active. Donors can visit www.gofundme.com/f/food-pantry-friends to make a contribution to the ongoing effort. “Together we can accomplish amazing things!” she said.
To learn more about the candidates, visit www.fps4jefferson.com