Donations needed for
MCFOODS distribution

The Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS), the distribution center for 40 local soup kitchens and food pantries, is experiencing a shortage of nonperishable foods and child care supplies.

"Usually the spring school food drive keeps us going through the fall; but lately, we’ve noticed our shelves are bare and there just isn’t enough to go around," said Jennifer Apostol, MCFOODS coordinator.

The organization is specifically looking for popular essentials such as tuna fish, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, rice, tomato sauce and tomato products, stews, canned meats, pasta and baby items including diapers and wipes.

"We’re giving out twice as many food bags this year," said Dick Johnson of Christ Episcopal Church in New Brunswick, which supplies approximately 75 families every week.

Middlesex County residents may donate canned and nonperishable food items year-round at MCFOODS drop-off sites, which include the public libraries in Milltown, Monroe, North Brunswick, Plainsboro, South Brunswick, Woodbridge, Dunellen and Edison.

For more information or for the location of the nearest food pantry or drop-off site, call (732) 729-0880.

MCFOODS also encourages local corporations to sponsor annual food drives. The organization’s goal is to have at least one corporate food drive each month in order to sustain the local food pantries. Company representatives should call (732) 729-0880 for more information.