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HERE ON THE NEWSLETTER PAGE IS WHERE
YOU WILL MEET THE GROUPS & INDIVIDUALS WHO SUPPORT THE FOOD BANK. JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THE MANY ACTS OF
KINDESS AS WELL AS AN EXTRAORDINARY RANGE OF GIFTS, FROM THE WOMAN'S CLUB MONTHLY "TUNA TOWER" TO LANOKA FARMS DONATION OF A MINI PUMPKINS FOR EACH CLIENT
IN OCTOBER.
THE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES GOING ON ALL
YEAR IS AMAZING SO WE HOPE
YOU ENJOY RIFFLING THROUGH THIS PAGE TO SEE WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE UP TO !
*
THE LACEY FOOD BANK NEWSLETTER PAGE FOR 2005
HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE FOLLOWING LOCATION:
*
Food Bank Volunteers Celebrate
Gathering at CAFFREY's (of course) food bank volunteers met to
celebrate the end of another successful year of serving the community. The list of volunteers has grown along with the
need. This Xmas saw 122 families served, an all time high. Chairman Guy Burnett praised his volunteer force, stressing
how important all their roles are. Special thanks went out to the storesmaster Dick Sansone for his almost full time service,
Sally McGahey for her efforts in giving the food bank kids gifts for two years running, and Rose Furbeck, who chaired the
luncheon for the third year. (Rose also distributed little packages of cookies and candies to all)
"This is a great bunch of people", Burnett said." And they even pay for their own lunch!"
Lacy Middle School = *FOFB Kids
(Friends of the Food Bank
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| Kids caring for Kids <3 |
On Wednesday, December 22, 2004, the president of the Middle School Student Council, Patrick
Maguire, presented the Lacey Food Bank Kids Program , headed by food bank volunteer Sally McGahey, with a check for
$600.00. Under the direction of Linda Devlin and Georgianne Ries, the 7th and 8th grade students had a contest
as to which of the two grades could raise the most money. Each grade had a water jug in the cafeteria, where the students
could put their left over change from lunch, up to $1.00 at a time. The stakes were high - If the 7th grade won, the
8th grade male gym teachers would have to dress in drag, and if the 8th grade won, the 7th grade guidance counselor, Tom Dorso,
would agree to shave off a beard and mustache he had for over 25 years. The drama went on for one week and the students
were truly excited, not only for the win, but for the money they would raise to help the kids of the food bank at Christmas.
The 7th grade won and the male gym teachers had to dress in drag for one day.
They are a great bunch of kids, very community oriented, and we thank each and
every one of them for their participation.
| WE, THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE LACEY FOOD BANK, |
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| WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR ! |
| Mrs. McCLaus does it again! |
|
THE Food Bank Christmas Party
...
was a resounding success with 120 families receiving hams or turkeys,
dinner fixings, as well as gifts for the kids and door prizes for the adults. Adding to the festivities was a volunteer pianist,
Nancy Ottogalli, who played holiday tunes for the crowd. Shown here is Sally McGahey, who with a small band of volunteers,
single handedly shopped for and wrapped over 320 gifts as each child received an article of clothing and a toy or teen stuff.
This is the second year that Sally has undertaken this huge project. Not only shopping and wrapping for months, but raising
funds with her booth at ShopRite twice a year. Along with the wrapped gifts, parents were able to "shop" from a large assortment
of new clothing and toys at the take-me tables, (see below) all donated items from the good folks in the community,
or as we like to say "FOFB" or " Friends Of the Food Bank".
(To see all these fine folks, check out the Thanks and Acknowlegements page)
| Bags of wrapped gifts waiting for a new owner. |
|
| Welcome to the Food Bank "Take Me" Shop |
| Carol says..... |
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| GO BIG BLUE! |
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LACEY'S LIBRARY JOINS IN ...
the township wide campaign to gift the
food bank kids with some holiday cheer. Patrons visiting the libary this month have had the chance to drop their donations
of kid gifts and food into the festive box next to the Merry Xmas tree. Here's our *FOFB librarian, Carol Michele, modeling
one of the gifts - a NY Giants hat and scarf , just right for a lucky little fan.
*Friend of the Food Bank
*
THE LITTLEST ANGELS...
Christian Preschool Daycare, can accomplish great things - witness the
food drive conducted this month for the benefit of the less fortunate clients of the Lacey Food Bank. Their parent church,
Village Lutheran, has been supportive of the food bank dating back to the very beginning, and Pastor Roy Minnix is a food
bank trustee. Thank you little angels and your adult advisors. 'Twas a job well done !
*
Thinking big
Tiny tots from the Presbyterian Church's Precious Journey pre-School
thought big in their holiday food drive for us. Take a look at the mound
of food they contributed. We thank all of these "precious" tots,and their adult helpers for their gift.
| A precious gift |
|
TRUE *FOFB
The Intergenerational Club, led by teacher Randy Spexarth, made their
annual visit to the food bank this week. Reasoning that "man does not live by bread alone", the group decided
to collect non food items - paper goods, personal care and cleaning supplies. Take a look at the gigantic
pile of goods they brought. Students attending the presentation were: Brittany Hrasna; Andrew Galanos; Steven Bassford; Ethan
Walter; Kerri Brady; Kelsey Cornelius; Scott Corino and Kyle Mascitelli. *Friends of the Food Bank
| Two generations.... |
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| Working together. |
The Inter-Generational club is just that, two
groups at the opposite ends of the age spectrum, coming together to serve their community. The seniors and children enjoy
working with each other throughout the year in a variety of public service projects. Here, after collecting that massive
amount of paper goods, the group rallies to sort it out and bring it into the food bank, where volunteers help them stash
the goods.
| CHAOTIC . . . |
|
| BUT WELL ORGANIZED . |
ANNUAL SCOUT FOOD DRIVE BENEFITS LACEY
FOOD BANK
Saturday, November 20, and the scouts
were out early in the morning, collecting bags of food from all over Ocean County communities. This annual gift from the Boy
Scouts comes right at the time when food pantry stores are getting depleted and in time for the holiday season. In Lacey,
our food bank was one of several in the area who came to the pick up point to gather the food. For us, this came the day after
Thanksgiving distribution, so the food goes out, then thankfully comes back in. To the Council, the scouts and their parents,
the Lacey Food Bank volunteers give a hearty thank you for this most needed gift - indeed a very good
deed.
|
| Way to go Daniel ! |
|
| Boy Scouts of America, Jersey Shore Council |
*
On the left, scout Daniel Sternberg, Pack 35, Den
9, is starting to load the food bank van.(no we didn't make him do it all, but by the time we left, the van was bulging
and our stores restored.) On the right (l.-r.) Jersey Shore Council members are: Megan Mace, Dan Collamer, Cathy
Broun and Marc Thalheimer.
WHY IS THIS MAN SMILING?
| The "Stores Master" |
|
| Dick Sansone |
Who could help but smile at the sight of the busy students
from the junior Rotarian club, Interact, bustling around, delivering 100 turkeys plus dinner "fixings" to the food bank on
Friday, November 19. A total of 119 food bank clients were served this month, making it one of the all time high distributions.
The Rotary has gifted the food bank with turkeys and dinners for several years, making an impossible task possible. The students
stayed around to help sort and carry, having a good time while they worked. Thanks to all of you and the staff advisors for this
gift of caring. Courtesy of food bank volunteer and *I.D., Bruce McGahey, we offer you these candid shots
. *information disseminator
| Many hands make.... |
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| It fun for everyone ! |
| Pea Packers Packing Peas |
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| Unloading and lugging those birds.. |
| GO INTERACT !! |
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| The Lacey Food Bank Thanks You |
| The Littlest Shopper |
|
| Marisa Juliano & Rachel McGahey |
EVEN THE LITTLEST SHOPPER.....
gave generously as Sally and her crew held their second fundraiser for the food bank kids gift
fund at ShopRite this month. Worker bees and little elves were: Top Row, left to right, Ziggie Zwierchoski, Mickey Esposito,
Sarah McGahey, Marion Spielberger, Sally McGahy and Roger Hopson. Middle row: Morgan Dezendorf, Erika Monticchio, Rachel McGahey.
Kneeling: Cheryl Monticchio. The fundraiser kept the volunteer gift shoppers afloat with still more gifts and funds needed.
(see article below)
TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY
It's that time of year again..time to start thinking
about the food bank kid's Xmas gifts. This year there are more children enrolled than ever before, so we really must dig deep
to get the job done. Could YOU sponsor one child or one family of children for gifting? Call Mrs. McClaus aka Sally McGahey
at 693-0144 to get the name and age of a food bank youngster. Or when you're at ShopRite, pick up hats, gloves, socks or small
toys and drop them in the blue barrel.
......................................................................
.
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| Joan, Al, Ziggie and Steffie were there... |
| Jennifer & Richard McMahon |
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| And baby Brandon makes 3 ! |
| The "Dunkee" Steve, AD (After Dunk) |
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| The Balloon Masters (Glenn & Dick) |
| The "Can Shaker Crew" |
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| Debbie, Marion, Rose, Sally, Howard & Big Ron |
LACEY DAY 2004
The sun shone brightly (and hotly) on the gang, as they shook the food bank collection
cans at the crowd of fair goers on Saturday, Aug. 21. But the heat didn't keep the crowds or the volunteers away, as you can
see from the above pictures. Joining ShopRite once again, the booth rocked as ShopRite employees were dunked (see Steve above)
and kept busy blowing up the balloons as free handouts to all the kids. Jennifer McMahon, on after- maternity leave
from ShopRite dropped by to lend support. Accompanying her were her husband Richard and the "apple" of their eyes, little
Brandon McMahon. Thanks to volunteers Debbie, Marion, Sally, Rose & Howard, Ziggie, Steffie, Al, Joan, Ron, Dick
and Guy. You earned your stripes once more...maybe next year we'll have cool and breezy
?
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| Who could say no to S.S.W.'s (Sally's Secret Weapons) |
SALLY'S SECRET WEAPONS
Volunteer Sally McGahey did it again, surpassing her last fund raising
event in the lobby of ShopRite by many $$. Her secret weapons? Sarah and Rachel McGahey, granddaughters of Sally and
husband Bruce (who designed and made those big blue cans which magically fill with food each week, thanks to generous shoppers)
This time, the event was to kick off the food bank's "Nickels for St. Nick" campaign. With over 125 food bank kids, it will
take a lot of $$ and nickels to accomplish the task of providing each kid with something to wear and a toy. Thanks also to
foodbank volunteers Mary Hills, Steffie Serena, Harriet Brown,& Al Bille for lending a hand during the day. Sally
and crew will be seen again at Lacey Day, then at another ShopRite lobby event in November. Watch for the food bank display.
| The McGaheys |
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GS Troop #419 Holds Spring Food Drive
Good deeds were the order of the day, as the girls in
troop #419, along with their leaders, Cheryl McCallan and Denise Rush collected over 20 bags bulging with food for us. The
troop dropped off bags to neighbors and friends requesting that they be filled with: Mac and Cheese, cereal, panut butter,
jelly, spaghetti sauce cookies, laundry detergent and paper goods. They even noted that we did not need canned vegetables
or pasta at this time. The public responded in a positive fashion to the storesmaster's delight. Thank you girls and leaders
for thinking of us, proving that we are a community who cares and shares.
|
| Give us a call! |
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| Like our van logo? |
As Waldo (aka Dick) drives back and forth from
ShopRite to the foodbank in our (new to us) van, he is also advertising the food bank. Then check out the new logo, done
by Debbie's signs. We are also pleased to announce that with the completion of renovations at the food bank building we now
have our very own phone number. Which is good 'cause the pesky cell phones the guys all use have a habit of being turned
off ! To reach us, just call (609) 242-2848 and someone will get back to you.
 Esteemed Sponsor Update
March & April have brought us more
new esteemed sponsors, now members of this exclusive club of caring people. Welcome to Joseph & Elizabeth
McCusker; Rich Hauswirth - Hausewirth & Son Insurance; Century 21 Lacey Realty- Richard Bargloski; Jim
& Libera Joyce; Silver Cloud Marina; Mr. & Mrs. William Leach; the Woman's Club of Lacey; the Forked River
Tuna Club; Remax of Barnegat Bay- George Broome; Rosemary Dixon; & Barbara & Bonnie D'Amato.
A heartfelt thank you to John & Iraida Dale, CAFFREY's,
Restaurant, the Elks Club, Discovery Refuse Management, Brick Wall Corp, Dr. Dennis Novak, Patricia Poyner, the CNA Foundation ,
Doris Piserchia, Anthony Macaluso and Jersey Shore Pools for their renewal of faith in our work.
We'll share with you a note from the McCuskers.....
"Dear
Mr. Burnett, We saw your letter to the editor in the Press and would like to help with your esteemed sponsor program.
We count our blessings every day, and are happy to be able to help a little. Thank you for your good work... "
and from the D'Amatos "We are thankful for our
many blessings".
That just about says it all, doesn't it ?
***
National
Letter Carrier's Annual Food Drive
This event takes place on Saturday , May 8th and is perhaps the largest food drive
in the world.
" THE SUCCESS IS IN ITS SIMPLICITY "
All citizens need do is to place a box or can of non-perishable food next to their mailbox before
their letter carrier delivers mail on Saturday, May 8. The carrier will do all the rest. The food is taken back to a postal
station, sorted, and then delivered to an area food bank or pantry. There it is available for needy families.
An estimated 30 million people face hunger every day in America, including more than 12 million
children. This drive is one way people can help those right in their own city or town who need help. NALC President William
H. Young said the results of the food drive are a clear indication of how letter carriers feel about the communities they
serve. "Letter carriers are the heart and eyes of the community, walking and driving through every neighborhood and up and
down every street," Young said. "They see first hand the need, and recognize the hardship and despair that denies families
even the basic necessities of life."
Please note: Lacey Township offices (Forked River, and Lanoka Harbor) do not participate
in this event however we at the Lacey Food Bank share in the wealth of food given in Manchester Township. If you wish to be
part of this by donating food, feel free to drop it off at the MUA on Route 9 or in the big blue barrels at ShopRite.
Woman's Club of Lacey Becomes an Esteemed
Sponsor
Here's the storesmaster being presented a check from
some friends of the food bank (FOFB) during the Club's April meeting. This donation will provide one
food bank family each month for a year with a gift food card from ShopRite and perishable non pantry foods. We just
had to do a closeup of the monthly tower of tuna , another project the club has undertaken on our behalf.. the total to date
this year is 389 cans and that is a lot of tuna ! Thanks to all who cared to share.
|
| FOFB |
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| " 88 cans on the wall....." |
Where's Waldo?
Lacey food bank's storesmaster,
Dick Sansone , was spotted hauling out groceries from the Lacey Library this week. The employees and patrons of the Lacey
Library joined forces to produce this overflowing cart of food for us, just another great example of the community pulling
together in support of our cause. Thanks to all of you for
"Caring by Sharing"...
|
| Literary Allies |
"CURVES FOR WOMEN" LOSE OVER A HALF TON ...
of food that is (1290 pounds to be
exact) as the women of Curves held their second annual food drive for the Food Bank this month. The massive pile
of food filled our new van to the top and the chairman had to schedule a special work crew to sort and shelve it. Shown here
are are owner Judy Hyslop and employees Carolyn Pronesti and Barrie Posnak during an official presentation to the storesmaster,
Dick Sansone. Many thanks to all the exercisers and employees who made this such a success. CURVES is located in
the Lacey Mall.
Friends of the Food Bank (a.k.a the
Easter Bunny) Come to visit !
| Ashok Syngal (left, top) |
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| Nancy Erickson gifting volunteer Bruce Janiuk with food drive bounty |
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| The "Giftors" & the "Giftees" |
The Easter Bunny showed up early at the Food Bank,
just in time for the March distribution as employees of the Oyster Creek generating station held their "Spring Holiday
Food Drive" for the food bank, with the management of Amergen topping it off with an Easter Ham for each and
every family.
Two trucks were necessary to haul the
food, which included an anonymous donation of 100 Easter egg coloring kits, stuffed bunnies and Easter candy. Along with the
food collected (and food drive coordinator, Nancy Erickson assures us more is on the way at the end of the month long drive)
a $100 check, courtesy of the security guard vendor, Wackenhut, was presented by Oyster Creek Diversity Council member
Ariadna Gutierrez to stores master Dick Sansone. Other Council
members included Ashok Syngal and Pat Bernabeo (far right).
At the receiving end, food bank volunteers
Al, Ron, Dick, Bruce J. & Bruce Mac showed up to stack and store the foodstuffs and pose for a picture for us... Thanks
to all at Oyster Creek who helped make this distribution so special - another example of a "community caring, by sharing
".
*
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| Good Scout Emily O ! |
SCOUTS VISIT FOOD BANK
. . . .
laden with goodies. As you can see from the picture
above, Troop 477, led by Maria Ruffalo, and Troop 20 by Debbie Everett were busy this month doing good deeds. Witness
the piles of colorful candy cups being displayed by Troop 477's Emily Otterbine. The clients love these surprise treats which
are such a nice change from cans and boxes ! Thanks girls.
| The gang showed up to cheer Ocean First ! |
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| Ziggie, Lois, Guy, Bruce, Rose, Debbie Edgecomb, Dick and (rear) Howard |
A happy day for the storesmaster, Dick Sansone,
as Chairman Guy Burnett accepts a $2,000 check from Debbie Edgecomb, Ocean First Bank. The gift from the Ocean First Foundation
will buy two refrigerators and a freezer so that we'll finally be able to store more perishables and freezeables...The Ocean
First Foundation is a leader in the county for supporting good causes, and for this we thank them. It was due to their grant
in 2002 that we were able to increase the monthly food certificates to $10 and for that the clients certainly
have been appreciative.
CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE?
The food bank
was delighted to host a visit from Kate & Jerry Kunert recently. Kate is the president of the Coastal Jersey Parrot Head
Club. Along with enjoying social events, the clubmembers commit to supporting various charities throughout the year.
In our case, it meant a generous supply of food for the pantry. Are you a Parrot Head? See www.njphlock.com for info !
Lacey High School Booster Club
Auction a Success !
Combining a Chinese Auction with
a good deed produced two overloaded grocery carts of food for the food bank, during the Boosters annual fund raiser. Offering
a $1. discount if an auction goer brought in a can of food, this creative enterprise not only provided us with a big boost for
the pantry but with almost $200 as well.. Thanks to all for thinking of us and being part of a community that
cares & shares .
Let's give a round of
applause for our first three esteemed sponsors in 2004 - the Lacey Elks, Marion Lisoski and Martha Spalding.
A good start for sure! We thank you, kind people.
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