In 2001, the food bank's cupboards were scantily stocked and much of that
was out dated cans and packages. We had less than $1,000 in the bank. Donations for the past year had totaled
only $2,500, with CAFFREY's Restaurant donating $1,500 of the that. One other sponsor, local attorney Art Stein,
was also a steady contributor but despite their support, it became apparent that we'd have to discontinue the food
bank program.
If we only had more sponsors, we reasoned, maybe we could keep the program
going. Because despite our meagerand often inadequate offerings, the needy came.
Many of them were the elderly, who might have to eat tea and toast for
dinner that last week if we were not there for them.
The food bank distributes the food the third or fourth Friday of each month. We cannot
feed a whole family for the month, but we do provide enough food to get them through the last week of the month when their
cupboards are bare.
So we devised the "Esteemed Sponsor" program and via letters and fliers
invited participation from those in the community who wanted to share their resources with those less fortunate.
Each sponsor commits to supporting one family for one year by contributing
$20 monthly, or $240 per family. This enables us to buy a $10. food certificate to ShopRite and
$10 worth of supplemental food not normally collected in food drives.
The esteemed sponsors have increased from 13 in 2002, to 28 in
2003 and 39 in 2004. Some make a commitment to donate $20 or more a month, others do it in one lump sum.
The client load also increased from 47 in 2001 to the present 131 families
- so the esteemed sponsor program has become critical to the ability of the food bank to keep up with the needs of the families.
The Lacey Garden Club, in a program started by Dorothy Simon, takes up
a collection at each meeting. They have sponsored two families for the last two years.
Caffrey's Restaurant, our first and only esteemed sponsor for
several years, supported 10 famies last year. No matter how you do it, or for how much, your committment will keep
the food bank alive.
Three esteemed sponsors took advantage of their employer's matching
funds for charity programs to double their gifts. Check it out with your employer, even if you are retired.
Home Depot and PSE&G are two such employers.
Our goal? To have a sponsor for each and every family . And then to
keep those committments going so that the food bank will remain solvent.
Help us reach the goal. Spread the word. You'll feel good about
yourself and by doing so will become a member of a very select group of people .
