The Alternative Press

This year the 21^st Annual Action Against Hunger™ Food Drive, scheduled for Sunday, October 14, 2012, from noon to 4 p.m. is more critical than ever, according to pantries that rely on the North Jersey Media Group Foundation’s annual replenishment of food on their shelves. With the economy not improving fast enough and a drought that is predicted to drive up 2013 food prices, food pantry leaders are facing difficult challenges for fall 2012 into winter 2013. To help, monetary donations and food contributions can be made at more than 100 locations across northern New Jersey, including most local supermarkets. Donations can also be made online and locations can be found at ActionAgainstHunger.com. 

Action Against Hunger™ is the largest food drive in the metropolitan area, serving 65 pantries that assist more than 40,000 clients. It is now a year-round, trademarked program that has been recognized as a model program for the country by America's Second Harvest, the largest hunger-relief organization in the nation.

Local emergency food providers include Community FoodBank of NJ, Center for Food Action, Bergen County; CUMAC/ECHO, Passaic County; MEND, Essex County; and the Interfaith Food Pantry, Morris County.

“We thank all of our local donors who join us each year in helping our neighbors in need,” says Jennifer Borg, vice president and general counsel of North Jersey Media Group and president of the North Jersey Media Group Foundation. “This year, we are appealing to everyone to step up their giving-game even more by organizing a neighborhood pick-up, bringing canned goods to a party for the host to donate, or initiating a food drive within your house of worship, civic group or work to support the cause. In addition to increasing personal giving, helping us increase the donor pool can provide a big boost for the cause.”

How to Help

The most-needed items include nonperishable nutritious foods such as canned vegetables, meats, fish and fruits; hearty soups and stews; pasta; white and brown rice; peanut butter; enriched cereals; oatmeal, pancake mix, and powdered or evaporated milk; 100 percent fruit juice; baby formula; and low-sugar and low-sodium foods for those with special dietary needs. Organizers request that no glass containers or outdated items be donated.

Tax-deductible, cash donations pack a powerful punch because food pantries buy in bulk. The Community FoodBank of NJ reports “For every $1.00 in our operating budget, we provide close to $10.00 worth of food to the hungry.”

Contributions can be made online at www.ActionAgainstHunger.com or mailed to North Jersey Media Group Foundation, c/o Legal Department, P.O. Box 75, Hackensack, NJ 07602-9192.  One hundred percent of all donations go to those in need.

Unlike most other nonprofits, the North Jersey Media Group Foundation's expenses are fully paid for by a private company (North Jersey Media Group). This means that 100% of your donation will go to those in need.

For more information about the drive, drop-off sites and how you can help, please visit www.ActionAgainstHunger.com, e-mail fooddrive@northjersey.com or call 973-569-7683.

“In all my years of food banking I have never seen a time as challenging as this one,” said, Kathleen DiChiara, President and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Drives like Action Against Hunger™ help real people who have to make choices between paying rent and buying food, and no one should have to make that choice.”

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey also reiterates the startling statistic that in 2011, one-in-six Americans were hungry and, in New Jersey, over 1.1 million people live in households that are distressed for food. Today the profile of those in need of food assistance include hard-working adults, children, and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, or even days.[1] 

Action Against Hunger™ has helped feed the hungry in northern New Jersey since 1991, when The Record launched its first food drive in response to needs identified from reports in the newspaper. Over the years, the initiative has grown, and the food drive now encompasses four counties in northern New Jersey. It is supported by the complete publishing family of North Jersey Media Group, including The Record; Herald News; 45 weekly publications such as The Ridgewood News, Montclair Times and Nutley Sun; (201) and numerous magazines; and NorthJersey.com.

Sponsors include 1010 WINS, A&P, Foodtown, Hackensack University Medical Center, Kings, Pathmark, Scott Graphics, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, and WWOR TV/My 9.

About North Jersey Media Group Foundation

The North Jersey Media Group Foundation Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to providing charitable funding and services to make a significant difference in the lives of North Jersey residents. It is the charitable arm of North Jersey Media Group.
 

About North Jersey Media Group

North Jersey Media Group is best known for its flagship daily newspapers, The Record (Bergen County, NJ) and the Herald News (Passaic County, NJ). Community Newspapers and Magazines of North Jersey Media Group publishes 45 community newspapers in Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Essex counties and 11 magazines, including the popular (201) The Best of Bergen. The corporation also has a commercial printing business and many websites. The company is family-owned and committed to serving the communities it covers with programs that are regional in scope and serve a broad constituency.