BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A group of Ridge High School students is launching a new food donation drop system to support two local hunger-relief organizations.
The student-led effort is headed by Elise Asay, Cole Marshall and Nicole Zenchak, who are organizing an August collection of nonperishable food across the community.
Nearly 30,000 Somerset County residents struggle to afford food each day, said the students.
The students also pointed to the upcoming closing of the Lyons Mall Stop & Shop as a concern for local access to groceries, particularly for veterans and senior citizens who use that store.
"We decided to start this initiative because we knew that there was a need in the community. While New Jersey, Basking Ridge specifically, is thought to be a very affluent area, there are many families who struggle with food insecurity," said the students in a joint statement to Patch.
The students said they were inspired by the original Foodstock festival and its mission of bringing people together to fight hunger.
"We wanted to bring that spirit over to our own town. To us, giving back to the community means helping those in need and not expecting anything in return. We believe that if people come together to help one another, even through small acts, it can create a huge impact, "said the students.
All donations collected through the Basking Ridge effort will go to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County and God's Co-op Pantry.
Those groups distribute food directly to families, veterans and senior citizens in need throughout the area.
Throughout August, student volunteers are distributing collection bags door-to-door in Basking Ridge.
Residents are asked to fill the bags with non-perishable, unopened and unexpired food, then place them beside the mailbox, or on front steps in neighborhoods with community mailboxes, by the date and time listed on the letter that comes with the bag.
Volunteers will then collect the bags and deliver the donations to the partner organizations.
Not every household will automatically receive a bag, but residents can still participate.
Anyone who has not received a bag by Aug. 23 can request one by emailing foodstockbaskingridge@gmail.com, and a volunteer will arrange delivery.
Foodstock began in South Jersey and has collected more than 1.5 million pounds of food across New Jersey since it was founded.
The Basking Ridge chapter is intended to add to that effort locally.
According to the students, this year's neighborhood bag drop is the beginning of what they hope will become an annual event in Basking Ridge.
The longer-term goal is to expand it into a community festival with live music, food and family activities tied to the donation drive.
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