Freeholders Sponsor Annual April Food Drive
County’s partnership with FoodBank aims to restock shelves

FREEHOLD, NJ - The shelves at the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties are fairly empty.

That is why the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders is placing food collection bins at 24 County offices and 13 County libraries as a way for residents to assist their neighbors in need.

“The challenge of feeding the hungry never ends,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to Social Services. “Some families are struggling to make ends meet and the FoodBank is an invaluable asset in providing assistance. April is when we especially focus our efforts on replenishing their shelves to supply them with non-perishable items that help people get through difficult times. If everyone donates one or two items, we can support a large group of people who otherwise would go hungry.”

This is the sixth consecutive year the County has partnered with the FoodBank to conduct the April food drive for protein rich non-perishable food.

“The Monmouth County Library System is a major public gathering place in many communities and it makes sense for these locations to serve as main collection points for the food drive,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Library System. “Library patrons who have overdue books or outstanding fines, can have their fees forgiven during National Library Week. The popular ‘Food for Fines’ program is a good way to get outstanding material returned to the library and help a good cause all at the same time.”

The branches of the Monmouth County Library System will be participating all month. Locations include: Library’s Headquarters in Manalapan, Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury, Allentown, Atlantic Highlands, Colts Neck, Hazlet, Holmdel, Howell, Marlboro, Ocean Township, Oceanport, Wall and West Long Branch.

The drive will work this way: patrons, who have outstanding materials, will bring their food to the library counter during National Library Week (April 9- 15). The libraries will reduce the fines by $1 for every food item donated. People who do not have fines but want to donate food anyway.

Collection bins will be available at many County locations, including the County Hall of Records, the County Clerk’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office, Agriculture Building, Longstreet Farm, Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Belford Ferry Terminal and Monmouth County branch libraries.  

“If you planning to attend the free Made in Monmouth event, on April 8 at Monmouth University, consider bringing a donation to the County’s April Food Drive,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “The one-day showcase and shopping festival of products, all made in Monmouth County, will have food donation collection bins at the entrance. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.”

Food items suitable for donation are non-perishable, protein-rich foods such as peanut butter, granola bars and tuna fish. Other most needed food items are ready-to-eat canned meals, canned fruits, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, canned and dry soup, canned pork and beans, canned juices, sip-size juices and hot and cold cereal.

April is National County Government Month, sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo). NACo’s purpose is to increase public awareness of county governments, their operations and services. The County Freeholders believe the food drive is an excellent way to achieve this goal.

Freeholder Curley explains “Spring is a season when fewer people donate food and funds to charities of their choice. Nationwide and here at home, food bank operations face periods of greatest need between January and August — a time outside of traditional periods of giving and volunteering coinciding with the holiday season. Non-perishable items are requested by families daily, but the most frequently-requested items are those not covered by public assistance programs.”

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2017 Monmouth County Food Drive drop-off locations

Atlantic Highlands -  Atlantic Highlands Library, 100 First Ave.

Allentown - Allentown Library, 16 S. Main Street

Colts Neck Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Dr.

Freehold Borough Hall of Records & Annex, 1 E. Main St.

Freehold Borough County Clerk's Office, 33 Mechanic St.

Freehold Borough Prosecutor's Office, 132 Jerseyville Ave.

Freehold Township - Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, 2500 Kozloski Rd.

Freehold Township - Monmouth County Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Rd.

Freehold Township - Human Services Building, 3000 Kozloski Rd.

Freehold Township - Public Works Complex, 250 Center St.

Freehold Township - Election Offices & Special Services, 300 Halls Mills Rd.

Hazlet - Hazlet Library, 251 Middle Rd.

Holmdel - Longstreet Farm Visitor Center Longstreet Road

Howell - Howell Library 318 Old Tavern Rd.

Howell - Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center 331 Georgia Tavern Rd.

Howell - Monmouth County Fire Academy 1027 State Route 33

Manalapan -  Monmouth County Library Headquarters 125 Symmes Dr.

Marlboro - Marlboro Library, 1 Library Ct. & Wyncrest Dr.

Middletown, Belford - Belford Ferry, Terminal 10 Harbor Way

Middletown, Lincroft - Thompson Park Visitor Center, 805 Newman Springs Rd.

Neptune Township - Monmouth County Connection 3544 Highway 66

Ocean Township - Ocean Twp. Library, 701 Deal Rd.

Oceanport  - Oceanport Library, 8 Iroquois Ave.

West Long Branch - West Long Branch Library, 95 Poplar Ave.

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