BARNEGAT/WARETOWN – No one really wants to believe that some families have to worry about where they’ll find their next meal.
Four years ago, Michele Cucinotta was a school counselor in the Barnegat Township School District’s Dunfee School. She couldn’t help but notice that many of her students risked going hungry as soon as summer break started.
Free and reduced lunch programs bring some relief to school-aged children suffering from food insecurity during the school year, but these fade away when the schools close.
Cucinotta already had a network of people who she knew she could count on to help those in need. As a member of the Waretown United Methodist Church, one of her first thoughts was to discuss the problem with the head of her church, Pastor Dawn Corlew.
“We first start talking about the free and reduced lunch programs,” said Corlew. “I wanted to know what happened to feeding the kids during the summer. With nothing down here, we decided to come up with a Summer Feeding Program for the weeks when school is out.”
It didn’t seem like enough to just feed the children. After all, if the kids were hungry, there was a good chance family members were also going without food. The program grew from there.
“We decided to make a big box of food for the family once a week,” Corlew shared. “We provide a delivery service and make sure each family gets staples like peanut butter and jelly, pasta, and cereal. Every week, we also include produce and eggs, as well as a fresh protein such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken. We add in butter and bread in our weekly deliveries, too.”
Many different community organizations run food drives to supplement the summer food program. Members of the Waretown United Methodist Church’s congregation generously give of their time and food. Corlew said they see it as an extension of their Christianity and a way to do God’s work.
Both Barnegat and Ocean Township Police Departments have donated food, as have a couple of the local retirement developments. Waretown’s Greenbriar and Barnegat’s Heritage Point communities both make regular contributions.
Some of the local farmers’ market vendors also supply fresh produce to ensure families receive nutritious items when they receive their deliveries.
Jennifer Saropoulis, the owner of Lefty’s Tavern in Barnegat, became involved in the program when Cucinotta spoke to her about it. Lefty’s donates some of the food, and also secures the protein items at wholesale prices. Lefty’s restaurant size refrigerators have also proven helpful for items that might otherwise spoil.
The recipients of the weekly boxes have been qualified through the two local school districts as eligible for free or reduced lunches. They may also be part of the backpack program, which discreetly sends food home on weekends. Prospective participants have the opportunity to opt out of food deliveries.
During the pandemic, Corlew noticed that those suffering from food insecurity also had another dilemma. It was difficult to find and afford regular household items – that could not be purchased with government assistance funds.
“Once a month, we deliver the other necessities,” said Corlew. “We make sure the families get a big box of paper towels, toilet paper, and detergent.”
One recent Tuesday, nearly thirty volunteers gathered to pack bags and get them ready for delivery. In the past, those willing to help have ranged in age from 3-90 years old. On Wednesdays, some of the same crew will take on the delivery route to 36 local homes. Over 180 people benefit weekly from the program.
Cucinotta said that in addition to church congregation members, a number of teachers and their children show up to help with the food distribution.
“I put a note out to all the teachers in the (Barnegat) district,” Cucinotta shared. “I asked if anyone would like to volunteer or if their kids needed volunteer hours.”
The call for help hit home for Lisa Flores, a Spanish teacher at the Horbelt School in Barnegat. She brought along her three children to Tuesday’s packing event. Eli is almost 10 years old, Aspen, 6 and Eva is almost 9 years old.
“I think it’s important that we get food to the people who don’t have much,” said Eva.
As the youngest of the three, Aspen’s answer was one literally from the mouth of babes. She decided her help was critical for a very important reason.
“We want them to stay alive,” Aspen shared.
Corlew emphasized the number of people who help seems to change all the time. She called all of the participants “amazing” and has had as many as 70 volunteers working at one time.
Bev Neyenhouse, one of the regulars, didn’t want to break from her work. She then realized she had an important announcement.
“We are running out of some of the foodstuffs that we need,” said Neyenhouse. “If anyone can talk to their neighbors and tell them what we’re doing, we can always use snacks, drinks, and vegetables.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can stop by the Waretown United Methodist Church on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until the end of August. Someone is available to accept food items from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on those days.
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