More than 500 Sussex County families receive Thanksgiving meals through community donations
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — More than 500 Sussex County families will enjoy full Thanksgiving meals this year thanks to the generosity of local businesses, churches and residents who contributed food to Project Self-Sufficiency, the nonprofit announced.
Agency staff and volunteers assembled and distributed hundreds of bags containing frozen turkeys, fresh produce, cranberry sauce, vegetables, stuffing mix, dinner rolls and freshly baked pies to families enrolled in the program.
“For many of our participants, food insecurity has become a pervasive and deeply troubling issue. The overwhelming generosity of our friends and neighbors is appreciated now more than ever,” said Deborah Berry-Toon, executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We have a lot to be thankful for this year.”
Longtime volunteer Michael McNamara and his family donated thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables in honor of McNamara’s recent birthday. “My whole family is involved in supporting Project Self-Sufficiency all year long,” McNamara said. “I have been fortunate in my life, and I am honored to be able to use this opportunity to help those in need.”
The First Presbyterian Church of Newton Youth Group, assisted by the congregation and Girl Scout Troop #98136, contributed 216 freshly baked pies. “The Youth Group and the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton look forward to baking pies for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Thanksgiving baskets each year,” said Colleen Duffy, Associate for Family Nurture. “The mission of our church is to be a beacon of light and hope to our community, and pie-baking is just one of the ways that we let our light shine.”
Ames Rubber CEO Chuck Roberts organized a fundraising initiative among Lake Mohawk Golf Club members and others to purchase 300 turkeys. “We are trying to do the right thing and keep a tradition going,” Roberts said, noting he has supported the effort for about a decade alongside Leadership Council member Roy Knutsen. “I have been blessed to live and work in Sussex County all my life, and there are so many people in need. Giving back to the community is the right thing to do.”
Additional turkeys, food, baked goods, gift cards and financial contributions came from numerous individuals, families and local organizations. Krave Caterers donated five full Thanksgiving dinners, and Board member Dee Fernandez and Leadership Council member Kathy Nauta coordinated a community drive that resulted in bushels of canned goods and fresh produce. Gulick’s Fruit Farm provided hundreds of pounds of apples, and Valley View Farms donated fresh vegetables. Significant support also came from Selective Insurance, Kiddie Academy of Sparta, Reverend George A. Brown Memorial School, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Studio.
Deliveries to homebound families were made by parishioners of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, continuing a nearly 40-year tradition.
