Fill a Plastic Bag to Help ‘Curb Hunger’

24th Annual Collection to Benefit Local Food Banks

Somerset County recycling crews are delivering colorful collection bags this week in Bedminster, Bernards, Bridgewater, Far Hills, Franklin (Society Hill I and II, Whitehall Manor, Beacon Hill and surrounding areas), Peapack and Watchung for the annual Curbing Hunger Month food drive in June. Look for one tied to the handle of your blue recycling bucket. Bags were delivered to other towns during the previous two weeks.

“But don’t worry if you don’t get an orange bag,” said Freeholder Director Patrick Scaglione. “You can still make a curbside donation of canned food using any plastic grocery bag – just write the word ‘FOOD’ on it and put it out at the curb on one of your recycling days in June.”

Food supplies are traditionally low during the summer months, when school lunch programs close and there are no holiday food drives. That’s why the Curbing Hunger food drive is held in June to help alleviate this annual shortage. Donations are distributed to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County and to local food pantries, including the Franklin Food Bank.

The demand at local food banks and food pantries continues to exceed supplies on a regular basis. You can help by filling your orange bag – or any plastic grocery bag – with canned goods and placing it at the curb on your recycling pickup days through June 29. For ideas about healthy foods to donate, visit http://bit.ly/DonateHealthy

This is the 24th annual Curbing Hunger food drive in Somerset County. You also can make an online donation of fruits and/or vegetables at www.CurbingHunger2018.org Join the conversation on social media by following #GiveHealthy.

Sponsors of the 2018 Curbing Hunger program include the Board of Chosen Freeholders; Curbing Hunger Inc.; and the Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Basking Ridge is a founding sponsor. Curbside collection of the food donations is done by county recycling crews and county and municipal public works employees.

Curbside donations are collected year-round as well. Use any plastic grocery bag to place canned food at the curb on any of your recycling collection days throughout the year.

Donations of non-perishable food also are accepted at the First Saturday of the Month recycling drop-offs held at the Somerset County Recycling Center at 40 Polhemus Lane in Bridgewater.

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