A Haven In South Jersey For Those In Need

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Michele Gambone, who used to work full-time at an engineering firm in Washington Township, said she had a life-changing moment almost 8 years ago.

"I was helping one homeless family that was living in their minivan," she said.

Inspired to help the family, she quickly filled with donated items for them, Gambone said.

That one act of charity spurred additional acts of goodwill, according to Gambone.

"I rented a barn with no heat or electricity to hold items I collected items for them," Gambone said. "Then I began collecting for other families living in a Walmart parking lot. After eight weeks, the barn was filled to capacity with donations. And then I found another building that I paid the rent for with donations, and then it started growing really quick."

"It" is a reference to The Unforgotten Haven, an organization Gambone created that she said tries to direct its focus based on the most current or pressing need.

For example, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Unforgotten Haven fed about 600 people weekly to those who could not afford to put food on the table.

Then, earlier this year after Russian soldiers invaded Ukraine, the organization assembled duffle bags with donated items for Ukrainian refugees.

Then, the baby formula shortage hit. Gambone said The Unforgotten Haven's Facebook page received 3,000 messages from people needing baby formula in three days. According to Gambone, the sheer volume of messages told her she needed to shift the organization's focus again.

"We raised $4,000 and used it to purchase [baby formula] through one of those networks where you can buy in bulk," she said.

The need for baby formula among those The Unforgotten Haven helps has subsided somewhat, according to Gambone. However, the effort to provide it has left the food pantry shelves borderline bare. She said that is where she needs help most right now.

"Non-perishable food as long as it's not expired and [unwrapped] toiletries would be most helpful," she said.

Donations can be dropped off at The Unforgotten Haven along the Black Horse Pike in Gloucester Township. Gambone said donations can only be accepted during its business hours. These can be found on the organization's Facebook page.

Individuals and/or organizations can also help in other ways, such as creating bags of items that babies need (like a local girl scout troop recently did) and assembling snack packs for those undergoing chemotherapy (as a group of volunteers recently did).

Gambone also urged those who need The Unforgotten Haven's services to also follow the organization's Facebook page —rather than call or email — to see what hours it is open.

She added that she now works part-time at the engineering firm, since The Unforgotten Haven will be her number one priority for the foreseeable future.

"I have a lot of people to help, and I love what I do," Gambone said. "You have to do things in life that you enjoy, and this is what makes me happy. So this is what I do."

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