Salvation Army Montclair: "The Cupboard Is Bare"

The Salvation Army in Montclair needs more resources to handle a growing demand from the community, said Major Larry Ashcraft, a spokesperson for the group.

“Serving over 10,000 meals on a yearly basis depletes our resources," he said. "People often think of the hungry and homeless of our community at the holiday season, but need knows no season."

Demand for services from the organization's feeding program is up as is the number of people coming in an asking for food pantry items.

“With kids out of school and not receiving free lunch, this stretches the resources of our neediest families as far as they can go," Ashcraft said. "It is hard to see kids go hungry.

"Between us and other food pantries, we find that all of us are being stretched thin with operational dollars and stocks of non-perishable items that are nutritious.” he said.

The organization has received donations of fresh produce from the Farmers Market in Montclair and from various community gardens.

Ashcraft indicated that the organization can use items such as canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soups, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce, and other non-perishables. Cash donations also helps The Salvation Army buy in bulk from the food bank, he said.

Food donations can be brought or cash donations sent to The Salvation Army, 13 Trinity Place in Montclair, New Jersey, 07042.