Food Bank Collection This Fri.; Update on 'Curbing Hunger' Recycling Pickup

The next “Buy One, Bring One” (BOBO) collection of food and personal-care items for needy families in Somerset County will be held this Friday, including at Somerset County park locations in Basking Ridge.

The Food Bank Network of Somerset County now is serving about 3,000 individuals a month, including about 800 families, according to its executive director, Marie Scannell. 

The two locations in Bernards Township are at the county park commission's Environmental Education Center; 190 Lord Stirling Road; and at Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge.

Canned food or personal-care items only are collected at the Environmental Education Center, Lord Stirling Stable and at Park Commission Headquarters at 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater. Boxed food cannot be accepted at these locations, as the donations may be exposed to outdoor weather or small animals.

Look for the blue “BOBO Friday” bins at donation locations. 

Other collection bins are at the Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove St., in Somerville; and at the Somerset County-Bridgewater Library, North Bridge Street & Vogt Drive, in Bridgewater.

Canned or boxed food items are accepted at the administration building and library. Personal-care items, including bath soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and toilet paper, also are collected since these items are not covered by food stamps, according to a press release from Somerset County.

Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia Walsh launched “BOBO Fridays” in July 2010. It first was intended as a way for county employees to help supplement the Food Bank Network of Somerset County’s monthly food supplies, and then as a way for the public to donate as well.

The program has collected over 5,800 pounds of donations to date, according to Somerset County.

The third Friday was chosen for the BOBO program so that donations would be delivered by the end of the month, when the Food Bank Network usually needs them most. However, the bins are available every day, not just on the third Friday, so donations may be dropped off at any time during regular business hours at all locations.

A press release issued Monday by Linda Van Zandt, public spokeswoman for the Somerset County Freeholders, said organizations serving needy residents in Somerset County thanked all who contributed to the 17th annual Curbing Hunger food drive during June's recycling collections.  

More than 46,000 pounds of food was received during that month from curbside collections throughout the county.

“The generosity of our county residents and organizations has once again helped avert a shortage of supplies at our local food banks,” said Freeholder Director Robert Zaborowski. “Even during these difficult economic times, people are willing to donate to help their neighbors.”

The Food Bank Network of Somerset County, the Franklin Township Food Bank and other local food pantries have seen unprecedented increases in the number of people they are serving as a result of the economic crisis, county officials said in the release, and previously.

The 46,370 pounds of food collected during the curbside Curbing Hunger food drive will help them meet that demand, Van Zandt said in the release. Included in the total was 120 pounds collected by the Municipal Clerks’ Association of Somerset County.

The Curbing Hunger campaign is a joint effort of the Somerset County Board of Freeholders, the county Recycling Center, county and municipal public works departments, the Food Bank Network of Somerset County and Curbing Hunger Inc.

is a founding sponsor, and among the supporters of Curbing Hunger.

Curbing Hunger started as a pilot program in Somerset County in 1995, and was expanded to several other counties in New Jersey.  

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation may send a check to Curbing Hunger Inc., P.O. Box 202, Basking Ridge, N.J. 07920. For more information, call 908-344-5571.

An ongoing food collection sponsored by Leadership Somerset is held monthly during the Saturday drop-off program at the Somerset County Recycling Center.  Canned food donations are accepted there the first Saturday (or second Saturday, in case of a holiday) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The next drop-off is Sept. 10. Visit www.co.somerset.nj.us/recycle/recyclescedule.html for other dates or call 732-469-3363 for information and directions.