LS Biz Community Hosts 'Have a Heart' Food Drive

The Little Silver Business and Professional Association (LSBPA) announces our third annual community service project benefitting Lunch Break in Red Bank. The Have a Heart Food Drive — named for the campaign’s proximity to Valentine’s Day — begins Feb. 1 and will continue throughout the month with drop-off locations at businesses all over the Little Silver downtown community.

Last year’s community effort brought over 350 pounds of collected food to Lunch Break. This year,  LSBPA Co-President Lori Saybolt said the business partnership has a goal of collecting 500 pounds of food. Help us reach our goal!

The group is seeking non-perishable donations such as canned fruits and vegetables, canned tuna, rice, beans, soups and other staples to fill the pantry shelves of Lunch Break — a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization that provides hot meals and other critical assistance — such as clothing and services — to those in need.

Businesses in Little Silver that are serving as designated drop-off locations include:

• The Woman's Exchange 32 Church St
• Valley National Bank 140 Markham Place
• McCue Captains Agency 680 Branch Avenue
• Family Pharmacy 10 Church Street
• New Jersey Laser Dentistry 200 White Road #203
• Ye Olde Pie Shoppe 74 Oceanport Avenue
• Central Jersey Bank 700 Branch Ave
• Pet's General 32 Prospect Plaza
• Wells Fargo Bank 480 Prospect Ave
• Skin and Bones Day Spa 31 Church St.
• Jill Ryan Interiors 160 White Rd. #103
• Gloria Nilson Realtors Real Living 600 Broad St., Shrewsbury
• Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 230 Half Mile Road, Red Bank
• Edward Jones 841 W Park Ave, Ocean

Shoppers can look for the Have a Heart poster on participating business windows and will usually find a bin for donations.

Lunch Break served over 4,500 free hot meals each month in 2012, a 68% increase since 2008. This includes meals delivered to homebound seniors. The Pantry also provides groceries to those who need help and more than 500 children receive Christmas gifts. Social, medical and legal services are available onsite and clothing in good repair is handed out once each month..

“As a business community we see such special projects as our way of ‘paying it forward,’” Saybolt said. “Even in turned-down economies we recognize the opportunities that we have been given and the necessity to share our time and talents with others.”

Actively seeking new members, the LSBPA hopes to promote the advantages of shopping in a smaller borough as opposed to larger retail facilities and more congested “downtown” surroundings. By synchronizing event calendars with the town, offering an informative Web site, and networking among members, the LSBPA is living by its mission to, “unite our fellow businesses in Little Silver and augment our investment in the community through business growth and volunteerism.”

For more information on the Have a Heart Food Drive or to find out more about the LSBPA, contact Lori Saybolt at Lori5775@comcast.net or visit them online at www.LittleSilverBusiness.com for membership information and a complete business directory.