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| N.J. Prison Staffers Donate to Food Bank |
| By The Express-Times |
| Published: 12/09/2002 |
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Northwest New Jersey Community Action Program (NORWESCAP) officials say too many shelves are empty at their food warehouse. Just before Thanksgiving, donations to NORWESCAP were distributed as soon as they are received. Resources are at an all-time low in the food bank's 11-year-history. And no food will mean hungry families during this crucial holiday season. 'The demand for food always outweighs our resources. But this year is worse than ever,' said Kathy Rummel, operations director for the North Broad Street facility. 'The need is just tremendous.' The New Jersey Department of Corrections recently organized a food drive to answer this need. State officials recently presented hundreds of pounds of canned and packaged food to NORWESCAP to replenish its diminished supplies, much to the delight of Rummel. The staff at all the state's prisons donated the goods at the request of Commissioner Devon Brown. 'Many of us have already made plans for the holidays -- family dinners, a night out with friends,' Brown said in a news release. 'Imagine if the question you had to ask was not what to feed your family but whether you were going to be able to feed them at all.' Earlier this month, Brown asked prison administrators and central office executives to designate drop-off points for donations to the NORWESCAP food warehouse. The two organizations already enjoyed a working relationship. Inmates from Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale frequently volunteer at the facility, sorting and stocking donations. The prisons' staff of more than 9,000 responded in force, giving all types of non-perishable items for those most in need. Inmate work crews then repackaged the goods, according to the news release. The agency's donations will be distributed to the 130 charitable organizations that the food bank sustains, including soup kitchens, shelters and adult and child day care centers throughout Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties. The commissioner said he hopes their donation will spark a trend. 'Perhaps our staff will inspire others to give whatever they can this year to ensure happy holidays for all,' Brown explained. |
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