2020 in Review: We were able to help others in such an unprecedented year only through the support of our community! The Pantry never closed and we were here for everyone who needed us. Click here to read about 2020 in Review.
Unprecedented Times Call for Extraordinary Measures
The Flemington Area Food Pantry’s
Response to the Pandemic
We must continue to feed our neighbors in need. This is not a work-at-home option. There is a growing number of neighbors in need, and the growth is projected to exponentially increase each week for the foreseeable future. Our ability to access food has also become more challenging with supply chains completely disrupted. At the same time, we MUST protect our staff and volunteers from Corona-19. So what to do?
In just two weeks, we instituted an overhaul in the way we do business…so that we could continue to do business. The Pantry went to a drive-up option so that we could limit people in the building to just volunteers and staff. Where before the pandemic, Pantry clients would come in to the comfortable Pantry waiting room twice a month and select the food and personal care items they need, they now wait in their cars or under shelter outside the building. When the client’s turn comes, a volunteer runner takes their order and hands it off to a volunteer inside the building. The grocery items are packed in boxes and brought out to the client by another volunteer. Able-bodied clients then load their own groceries and leave the cart to be sanitized before the next use. This revised process permits the Pantry volunteers to comply with social distancing rules, and helps keep both the volunteers and clients reasonably safe from the possibility of being infected.
We handled the increase in new clients just like we always do – we registered their families (by phone), welcomed them to our family, and provided them with food and personal care items to help them through this crisis. Many, if not all of them, never expected to be in this situation. As they always do, our volunteers greeted them with warmth, sensitivity, and generosity without an ounce of judgment.
When we couldn’t access protein through our normal channels, we got creative. We went to restaurant supply stores (at extra cost) and gratefully accepted donations from local restaurants who could not use their existing stock. We won’t forget those restaurants when they open up again!
Recognizing that our families now had kids at home looking for lunch, and often breakfast, that they would normally receive at school we started up our summer student bonus pack program – three months early. A plea went out to the community and they responded. Where there were gaps in things like peanut butter, we dipped into our supply or purchased more.
As for our volunteers, we realized the lengths that we had to go to in order to protect them, as they are our lifeblood. We provided gloves and extra cleaning supplies, sanitized carts at each use, offered masks, limited the number of volunteers per shift to six, and mandated social distancing. We hired a temporary Outreach Coordinator to manage the oversight of shifts and re-stocking each afternoon. This allowed us to limit the number of afternoon volunteers to two. It also allowed our Executive Director, Jeannine Gorman, to remain in her office to protect her against infection and ensure that the remarkable leadership of the Pantry during this crisis was unaffected.
These extraordinary measures have so far been effective in protecting our dedicated volunteers and allowing us to continue to provide groceries to Hunterdon County residents who are in need.
If you or someone you know in Hunterdon is having difficulty putting food on the table during this pandemic, we’re here to help.
Our Heroes
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, stories abound of heroism by healthcare professionals, first responders, paid or voluntary, and others whose job it is to provide care and comfort to members of our community. And there cannot be too much praise for these men and women who are dedicated to helping others.
Although there are long lines and sometimes empty shelves at local supermarkets, most families in the county can acquire enough food and personal care supplies. But what about those among us who don’t have the resources to purchase the basics of life? For those families, the dedicated volunteers at the Flemington Area Food Pantry are still serving Pantry clients. But the pandemic has required the pantry to take necessary precautions to protect both clients and volunteers.
Where before the pandemic, Pantry clients would come in to the comfortable Pantry waiting room twice a month and select the food and personal care items they need, they now wait in their cars or under shelter outside the building. When the client’s turn comes, a volunteer runner takes their order and hands it off to a volunteer inside the building . The grocery items are packed in boxes and brought out to the client by another volunteer. This revised process permits the Pantry volunteers to comply with social distancing rules, and helps keep both the volunteers and clients reasonably safe from the possibility of being infected. The new reality of drive-through, walk up service will continue until the crisis ends.
Pantry Executive Director Jeannine Gorman said “We actually had a pretty good [first] week as we adjust to the "new normal" at the Pantry. We had 185 visits in 4 sessions, averaging 46 visits a day and 14 new families.” Gorman pointed out these included “some beautiful families who have never used a pantry before. It’s very sad.” Compared with a period earlier in the month and before the pandemic prompted changes, according to Gorman, the pantry had a 34% increase in visits and a 166% increase in new families. This increase is likely attributed to the increased unemployment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although there have been changes in the way the Pantry acquires food, the supply chain has so far been adequate to handle the increase and Pantry volunteers are still able to serve clients twice per month. That means food and monetary donations from the community are still needed. Donations can be brought to the Pantry’s back “Donation” door during regular business hours.
Families struggling with keeping food on the table during the current crisis, even though in a temporary situation, may be eligible to receive food from the Pantry. They should call (908) 788-5568 for more information.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Want good news?? Thought you would like to see this. This is in response to an email Executive Director Jeannine Gorman sent to clients.
3/30/2020
Dear FAFP,
I just wanted to send you a H U G E 'Thank You!' for all you have done to make the Food Pantry a safe and efficient experience for everyone these past weeks. You transitioned seamlessly and with extreme friendliness and graciousness to curbside delivery, and have done so while dealing with an altered supply chain. You people are AMAZING and I appreciate your efforts so very much. I am 'hunkered down' with my loved one who receives Food Pantry benefits and who cannot drive, so I have been picking up his groceries. He is high-risk for infection, so I am limiting my errands severely. The Food Pantry is one place I absolutely feel safe visiting.
Thank you again, so much.
With Kind Regards,
(Name omitted to protect privacy.)
Panera (Flemington) Fundraiser
Flemington Food Pantry Fundraiser at Panera, Flemington. Tuesday, Feb 4, from 4-8
Bring flyer, show flyer on phone, or use PRFUND as promo code. Hope to see you there!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Steve Harrison
It is with great sadness that we pass along the news that our beloved Tuesday & Thursday volunteer, Steve Harrison, passed away on Friday. Steve was a great family man, a Vietnam vet, an avid Flemington volunteer fireman, and, at the Pantry, an expert in soup organization. He began volunteering in June, 2009.
Here is his official obituary:
Stephen W. Harrison, age 74 years, of Delaware Township, NJ passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019 in Green Knoll Care Center, Bridgewater, NJ.
Born in Kenmore, NY, May 1, 1944, he was the son of the late Stephen W. and Frances Duncan Harrison.
Steve was a United States Army veteran serving in Vietnam. An avid volunteer, he was a Communicant of Our Lady of Victories Church, Baptistown, NJ, and a longtime member of the Flemington Fire Department. He was also a longtime volunteer at the Flemington Area Food Pantry.
Steve was a retired Manager with Heidelberg Corporation, and was formerly employed by the Hunterdon County Democrat.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Richard and Joseph. Surviving are his wife of forty-four years, Carol Cosh Harrison; a daughter, Catherine Loretta Harrison, of Harrisonville, PA; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Stephen W. Harrison of Maple Shade, NJ, and Andrew and Carly Harrison of Clifton, NJ; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Harve Platig of Atlanta, GA; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Catherine and James Merrifield, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Victoria Cosh of Florida; and many wonderful friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 10 AM in Our Lady of Victories Church, Baptistown, NJ. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Magdalen Cemetery, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 5-8 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ and from 9:30 AM -10 AM on Wednesday in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Flemington Fire Department, 38 Park Avenue, Flemington, NJ 08822.
Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences.
Nancy Schultz
The Flemington Area Food Pantry acknowledges with great sadness the passing of Nancy Schultz. Nancy, 93, was a founding member of the Flemington Area Food Pantry and a major force behind the creation of the Pantry’s signature annual fundraiser, the Empty Bowl, which she went on to manage for the next 18 years. An active volunteer and Board Vice President with the Pantry since 1982, Nancy stepped away only five years ago, due to declining health. She is remembered as an outspoken advocate for the Pantry and the community members who depend on it.
She remains an inspiration for what one person can do to improve the lives of those around her.
2018 Empty Bowl
Wait? You missed the Empty Bowl fundraiser? Thanks to St Magdalen Church for hosting, our sponsors, soup chefs, and 600 community members who purchased tickets for a great event. And to Frank Peluso & Bill Ivie for creating this awesome video! See you next year!
Why We Do What We Do
One of our clients is a 58-year-old recent widow. After her husband died, she lost her apartment because she couldn’t afford the rent. She is now living in a shed with an extension cord supplying all her electric power. She rations what she eats and often goes to sleep cold and hungry. We referred her to community resources, but it will take time to sort her situation and improve the quality of her life. She is depressed and lonely. Despite the hardships she faces every day she told us that she is grateful to the Pantry for the food and help she has received.
Unfortunately, her story is not unique. Hunger is closer than you think. There are many people like her living in our affluent community. Sometimes we just don’t see the hunger which is right in front of us.
Businesses, individuals and families have been generous to us. As we begin a new year, we are energized by the evidence that we are making a difference and by the overwhelming community support given the Pantry. We are grateful and work hard to use your donations wisely. We value your partnership!
The Empty Bowl is Moving!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The annual Empty Bowl fundraiser has a new home. After many years of a wonderful relationship with our host, the Flemington United Methodist Church, we’re moving to St. Magdalen Catholic Church for the 22nd annual event on Friday, October 19, 2018.
This move will give us the opportunity to serve you with the same tasty lunch consisting of your choice of a bowl of soup prepared by a local restaurant, a fresh salad, bread, and a homemade dessert, but with hopefully shorter lines and definitely easier parking. And of course, the handmade soup bowl is yours to take home. Tickets are $25 each.
The Empty Bowl is the Pantry’s major fundraising event each year. The Pantry provides groceries and personal care items to approximately 1,200 needy families of Hunterdon County.
This year the soups will be provided by Basil Bandwagon Natural Market, Theresa's Cafe, Chive and Thyme Cafe and Catering, Matt's Red Rooster Grill, ShopRite of Flemington Kitchen, Old Croton Bar & Grill, and the Metropolitan Seafood Company.
St. Magdalen’s is located at 105 Mine Street in Flemington, just a short drive from Main Street. Click on "Empty Bowl" above to purchase online tickets.
The Pantry is indebted to the Flemington United Methodist Church for it’s years of service to the Pantry and the Hunterdon County Community.
Teach Your Kids the Value of Giving and Inspire Caring And Empathy
By Amanda Henderson, SafeChildren.info
Photo by Unsplash
Teaching kids about the world is our jobs as parents. We have to tell them about the good and the bad, and we wish we didn’t have to tell them about the latter. But with the bad comes teaching them how they can make the world a better place. Getting involved in charity work is beneficial to everyone, including those who give.
Teaching your children altruism helps improve their mood and behavior, as well as boosts their self-worth. It inspires them with a sense of mission, which can change their outlook on the world. It can help them see the world outside of themselves.
Here are a few tips for getting your family into charity work this year:
1. Get the whole family to work together to find items that can be donated to charity -- from clothes to toys to items of furniture -- so that the kids can understand the need for giving things away, as well as the benefit of decluttering. Encouraging them to let go of some of their beloved toys will also teach them to move on and not hold so tightly to the past. Then take the kids with you when you drop them off so they can see what they’re giving to.
2. Take your kids with you when you give blood. Letting your children see you donating will teach them the importance of giving blood, so when they get older, they’re more likely to give, too. Talk to them about why giving blood is important and discuss organ donation with older kids.
3. Do a fun run. There are so many community events to raise money for various charities, you’re sure to find one that represents your values. You and your kids can train to run a 5k together, which has the added benefits of time spent together and exercise. If that sounds like too much, walk it. Some kids like dressing up in costumes for races, which adds an extra layer of creativity.
4. If your kids are pet lovers, try getting them involved in animal charities, such as animal rescues, shelters or a zoo. Helping with animals teaches them responsibility and understanding, as well as all the work that goes into caring for animals.
5. Join up. When kids are involved in scouting groups or faith-based organizations, they often work on projects to help people in the community. Consider being a leader or volunteer in these groups to encourage more giving projects. Plan visits to nursing homes to sing holiday songs, deliver handmade cards to children’s hospitals or raise money for a school.
6. Encourage savings. If you give an allowance, have your children donate a percentage to charity. You can even allow them to choose the charity that they feel most passionate about. When their charity savings builds, they can watch it grow and understand how money increases over time. Kids also will see how little amounts of money when combined with other donations will make a big difference.
Showing kids the value of empathy is important for all parts of their lives. They’ll grow up with a better sense of caring for others.
Bob Bainbridge
The Flemington Aread Food Pantry family is saddened to report the passing of Bob Bainbridge, our beloved bookkeeper and previous Hunterdon County employee. There are few that were nicer, kinder or more classy. And he was definitely the best dressed. We will miss him tremendously. RIP, Bob. Our thoughts and prayers for Daphne and the family.
Below is the obituary from Johnson-Walton Funeral Home in Milford, NJ:
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ - Robert L. Bainbridge, 75, of Franklin Township, NJ, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, NJ.
Born August 12, 1942 in Yonkers, NY, Rob lived in Staten Island, NY and River Vale, NJ before moving to Franklin Township in 1979. He graduated from Wagner College with a BS in Chemistry. Rob was a man of many abilities. He first worked for Church & Dwight and was the face of Valley Florist for 12 years. Rob also worked for Myhre Construction in Frenchtown NJ. Most recently he worked for Hunterdon County in the Office of Buildings and Maintenance and volunteered at the Flemington Area Food Pantry as bookkeeper. Rob was respected and loved by those who knew him. He was devoted to his family and his many friends. Rob enjoyed working around his house and mowing his lawn on his favorite over-sized tractor.
Son of the late John and Helen (Silsby) Bainbridge Rob is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years Daphne (Frazee) Bainbridge, his two daughters Cynthia Bainbridge-Mullis of Wausau WI and Pamela Berezny and her husband Mark of Baptistown, NJ, his two brothers John Bainbridge and Bruce Bainbridge, and his four grandchildren Miranda, Elizabeth, Antonea, and Erin.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Milford, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, the Frenchtown Lions Club, PO Box 142, Frenchtown, NJ 08825, or the Flemington Area Food Pantry, PO Box 783, Flemington, NJ 08822.
Pantry Tour
In preparation for #GivingTuesday,we thought you would like an inside tour of the Flemington Area Food Pantry in the words of our volunteers!
Wow! 3.2 Tons of Food
Each year at the holiday season the Pantry provides clients with the fixins' for a special holiday meal. This year, the financial advisers at Walkers & Associates of Flemington decided to help. And help they did--in a BIG way. Saturday, they delivered 3.2 tons of food in 481 holiday bags.
The staff at Walkers & Associates has been collecting food for more than a month, and this massive donation is the culmination of that effort.
Not only did Walker collect and donate the grocery items, they also sorted and bagged it for Pantry volunteers to distribute to clients when they come to the Pantry for their regular provisions. And if you're wondering what impact this has, the Pantry distributes approximately 500 Thanksgiving meals each year. Thanks to Walker & Associates, all our volunteers will need to do is add a turkey and a few other items to the bags and wish our clients a Happy Thanksgiving.
THANK YOU WALKER AND ASSOCIATES!
If you would like to help, IF you shop at the Flemington ShopRite, and qualify for a free turkey, tell your cashier you would like to donate your turkey or other free holiday item to the Flemington Area Food Pantry. That's all you have to do. No need to lug a frozen turkey to your car. The donated items will be delivered to the Pantry in time for the holiday.
Flying Through the Pantry
We love visitors .... but here's an inside look for those who can't visit first hand. Nice use of a drone. Thanks, @UpAbove Aerial Imaging!
Push-Ups for the Pantry
On Friday, July 14, Base Camp 31 Athletic Club on Rt. 31 in Lebanon held an unusual food drive for the Pantry. Base Camp 31’s Eric Eisenhart promised to do 5 reps of push-ups, pull-ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc. for each item of donated food. Donations are especially important in the summer, when kids are home from school and can’t participate in school lunch programs. Summer hunger in Hunterdon County is real.
Some members of the Pantry leadership were on hand to cheer Eric on.
So how didwe do? 150 pounds of food were donated and Eric needed to do 600 reps for #WillMOVEForFood as part of the #SummerOfMove initiative! It was good to see the trainer working hard! Thank you to all who donated! Our leadership team was there to support!
Memorial Day
Our older Food Pantry Volunteers are incredible role models having accomplished so much to make the world a better place. Such is true with retired dentist Bill Testa, Team Leader on Thursday and Saturday. He is an inspiration to all and we are honored that he devotes his time to the Food Pantry. Read the NJ.com article below about his Memorial Day speech at Delaware Valley Regional High School.
Photo by Rick Epstein
"Vietnam was a snap compared to being a teenager," former Marine Corps sergeant Bill Testa told the assembled student body of Delaware Valley High School.
He was the keynote speaker at Delaware Valley High School's Memorial Day assembly on Thursday, May 25, honoring veterans and remembering the military men and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
To bring home the meaning of Memorial Day, Dr. Testa told the students of the bravery and determination of the troops who fought and died on the beaches of Normandy during World War II.
But his primary message was that no matter how difficult adolescence can be, students should not give up. He shared pivotal moments from his own life - the first time he saw a Marine in uniform, the day he joined the Corps, the day at Da Nang Air Base when one of the Vietnamese workers died of a toothache, the day he decided to become a dentist, and the day he met his wife. Bill and Carol Testa went on to have two sons while he practiced dentistry in Pittstown. Now retired, Dr. Testa expressed satisfaction with how his life had played out.
In closing he advised students to "choose wisely and be careful" so they, too, can enjoy the wonderful lives that await them.
The program in the Hutchins gym was also attended by about 30 guests of honor - veterans, plus one soldier in uniform. Patriotic and military songs were rendered by the chorus and the band, and the Renegade Drumline gave a rousing sample of this year's show.
Flemington Jewish Community Center
This adorable group from the The Flemington Jewish Community Center Preschool brought us 157 pounds of food for our clients. Thank you!
Thank You Chubb
Thank you to a fabulous volunteer crew from Chubb NA Personal Risk Services Underwriting Department for all your help! We appreciate all your support.
