Ridge High School Students Feeding Those Impacted By Coronavirus

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — For the past five weeks, the Ridge High School Red Cross Club has been coordinating with St. Bernard's Episcopal church in Bernardsville to collect food for people who’ve been laid off due to the coronavirus crisis.

After school closed, the high school club was forced to shift online and began looking for ways that members could could help out people in the community affected by COVID-19.

They saw that St. Bernard’s Episcopal Church was holding a food drive in the community and became involved with them.

"Our club always aims to help others in need, and our mission has become increasingly important during this pandemic," the club said. "We feel fortunate to be able help the church with its food drive at a time when people need food most. It feels rewarding to understand that our club’s work is making a major difference for those in need. We hope that we can continue to use our platform and the food drive to promote positivity and kindness in our community."

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

They have already raised more than $1,000 worth of food and supplies and are hosting food drives around 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the church.

Food items needed include canned tuna/chicken, canned beans and vegetables, dried beans, bread, cereal, oatmeal, pasta sauce, rice, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, maseca flour and applesauce. Other supplies needed include toothpaste, soap, formula, diapers and 24-ounce containers of vegetable oil.

For the food drive, people can contact ridgeredcrossclub@gmail.com or text 513-240-2669 to arrange for food items to be picked up or dropped off.

The church is also accepting monetary donations in the form of $25 ShopRite gift cards; checks made payable to “The Community Fund,” with the memo “COVID19 Assistance”; or online at this link.

The church then distributes the food on Fridays to the Pop Up Pantry at St. Bernard’s Episcopal Church, which mainly serves people in Bernardsville and Basking Ridge and surrounding communities.

The high school club consists of about 23 members at Ridge High School and welcomes any high schoolers interested in learning more about the American Red Cross’ work and have a passion for serving people in need. Prospective club members can contact ridgeredcrossclub@gmail.com for more information.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.