Sanctuary Program Celebrates 12 Years of Service

For Immediate Release: December 14, 2015

Contacts:

Ann Bagchi, Co-Coordinator– 201-303-6101

Sandra Whitehill, Co-Coordinator – 732-863-7395

Reverend Ricky Pierce – 732-462-2097

As the weather gets colder, volunteers and organizers are preparing to inaugurate the 12th year of the Sanctuary Program, which provides breakfast and lunch for the homeless, working poor and families during the winter months. This year the program will begin Saturday December 19 with breakfast and lunch being served at the First United Methodist Church, 91 West Main Street, in Freehold.

Every Saturday, through March 12, 2016, the program will offer breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. [noon]. Breakfast will be offered every Friday at the Methodist Church beginning January 8, 2016 and ending on March 11, 2016 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“We offer a warm meal and a respite from the cold for our working poor neighbors during the winter months when work is scarce,” said Ann Bagchi, co-coordinator of the program. “The program serves between 150 and 200 meals a week for those who find themselves a few meals short of a full stomach.”

The Sanctuary Program relies on donations from local residents and businesses, said Bagchi, who noted that all persons involved are volunteers. Monetary donations and gift cards to local supermarkets to purchase ingredients are especially welcome, she noted.

Sandra Whitehill, coordinator of volunteers for the program, noted that the program relies on the kind hearts of volunteers in the community to step forward to make a difference in the lives of those who need a helping hand. “We have a loyal core of good souls who have served for many years. But it’s heartwarming to see people hearing about the program for the first time and being ready, willing and able to help. Service to others enriches our community and changes those who serve.”

The Sanctuary Program was founded in 2003 by the Latino Coalition and the New Beginnings Agape Christian Center. It has since blossomed into a collaborative effort that includes participation by the First United Methodist Church, the First Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Church, all of Freehold.

Financial sponsors include the Latino Coalition, the I Beseech Thee Community Development Corporation, the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life, Frances Tomes, Rumu Das Gupta, John Leschak and the Reformed Church. Food donations are provided by Battleview Orchards, Bagel World and Dunkin Donuts.

In addition to meals, the Sanctuary Program provides visitors with blood pressure screenings and HIV/AIDS testing and a variety of speakers that provide community information on a wide range of topics from tax preparation, immigration, and health insurance enrollment assistance through the federally-facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace.

Contributions to the Sanctuary Program should be sent to Reverend Ricky Pierce, executive director of the I Beseech Thee Community Development Corporation, 133 Throckmorton Street, Freehold, New Jersey 07728.

If you are interested in volunteering your time please call Sandra Whitehill at 732-863-7395.

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