Supermarket Sweep Fills South Orange Pantry Shelves

The Supermarket Sweep FOODRAISER saw over 125 people storm the ShopRite in Clark on March 3 to shop for the kosher food pantries at Jewish Family Service of Central NJ in Elizabeth and Bobrow at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange. Another 75 people volunteered as shoppers, baggers, sorters, and stockers.

The event was sponsored by Women’s Philanthropy, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ and co-sponsored by over 20 Federation partner agencies. Elyse Deutsch and Janice Weinberg, were Supermarket Sweep Co-Chairs.

By the end of the day, a total of $5,800 in groceries was purchased and delivered to the food pantries; an additional $300 has been raised for additional purchases.

Over the past year, the two food pantries have served an unprecedented number of people — an average of 400-500 individuals a month. With emergency food requests increasing and government funding decreasing, the sweep will go a long way toward feeding the hungry in the community.