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Quijano Kicks Off “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation” to Help Feed Elizabeth Area Homeless

Third Annual Month-long Food Drive Designed to Help Battle Hunger

As a lead up to September’s Hunger Action Month, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union) kicked off a month-long food drive on Tuesday to help feed the homeless in the Elizabeth area.

Dubbing it “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation,” Quijano is partnering with the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless and the St. Joseph Service Center for the third year in a row to help procure thousands of sandwiches, which will be distributed to homeless residents in the area.

“The last few years have been truly inspiring to see so many good-hearted people volunteer to help those who are less fortunate,” said Quijano. “During the busy summer months, it’s easy to forget that there are those around us for whom hunger doesn’t take a vacation.”

Sandwiches will be prepared by various groups every Tuesday in August (4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) between 10 am and 12 pm at St. Joseph’s Social Service Center, located at 118 Division Street, Elizabeth. Volunteers are also encouraged to stay and help distribute sandwiches at 1 p.m. each Tuesday.

Organizations participating in this year’s food drive include Elizabeth Coalition volunteers, staff and interns from the 20th legislative district offices, the NJ Devils, the State Troopers Fraternal Association, State Farm, Investors Bank, Groundwork Elizabeth Green Team-Come Grow With Us, the Red Cross, the Puerto Rican Society and various other community members.

“I can’t thank enough all the generous sponsors and volunteers who are coming together to help support this drive once again,” added Quijano. “Donations have been received from various organizations and businesses, but additional assistance can assure that more people are fed. Whether its money, bottled water, small snacks, people can continue to donate online. I hope everyone will take the time to find out how they can get involved, not just in August, but every month of the year, to help fight the growing hunger problem around us.”

Quijano urged residents to get involved and help support the Elizabeth Coalition by visiting http://www.theelizabethcoalition.org/news/donate-now-2/ , clicking “DONATE NOW” and under Designation, enter “sandwiches.”