Celebrate Lunch Break's 31 Years of Service at Their Fifth Annual Gala

Lunch Break will host its fifth annual Gala, “Hope Happens Here,” celebrating
31 years of dedicated service to the community on Monday, October 20, at the
Navesink Country Club, in Middletown NJ. The evening will honor the steadfast
commitment to the mission of Lunch Break by several individuals. Specifically, there
will be presentations of the “Norma Todd Service Award” to Paul and Margo Hooker,
the “Heart to Hand Award” to Inice Hennessy and Pamela Elam, the “Beacon of
Service Award” to Carol Ingaro and Leigh Stoecker of Fringe Marketing, and the
“Future Charitable Leaders Award” to Katie and Taylor Gill.

The evening will also include a spirited dinner reception, live and silent auctions,
and a 50/50 raffle, with the entertainment provided by Brian Kirk and the Jirks.
Formed in the early 1990s, Brian Kirk & The Jirks are one of the only bands in the
East Coast circuit who can boast an impressive career spanning almost two decades!
The secret of this success lies within two basic characteristics: first, an amazing roster of
musicians and, second, Brian’s ideals of having fun with the audience instead of
performing to the audience. As other bands come and go, Brian Kirk & The Jirks continually
set the standard with tons of experience while thinking outside the box. Brian will also
serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

Additionally, our auctioneer is Nick Dawes, Vice President of Special Collections for
Heritage Auctions in New York and a former Sotheby’s auctioneer. Nick is one of this
country’s most experienced charity auctioneers, and familiar to many through his expert
appraisals on ‘Antiques Roadshow’ for PBS since the first season in 1996.

All net proceeds from the Hope Happens Here Gala will directly support Lunch Break’s
critical programs. One doesn’t have to look far to see the impact of the lingering
economic downturn on the hungry and working poor among us. In fact, the New Jersey
Poverty Research Institute concludes in a 2013 report that 25 percent of New Jersey
residents are living in poverty. No wonder the demand for Lunch Break’s services has
grown dramatically. In fact, to respond to that increasing demand and better serve the
community, in March Lunch Break launched “Step Up To The Plate,” its $5 million
capital campaign to enlarge the size and increase the functionality of its facility.

When the two-story addition is completed, the seating capacity in the dining room will
be nearly doubled and there will be a new, larger, and more functional kitchen to serve
the growing number of clients. The expansion will also provide space for a clothing
“boutique,” a “choice food pantry,” reception and waiting areas, private social service
and intake offices, a donation drop-off area, administrative offices, a conference and
meeting room, data stations, a maintenance office, and restrooms.

Gwendolyn Love, Executive Director of Lunch Break, said at the March groundbreaking
for the updated facilty that, “Thirty-one years ago Lunch Break began serving hot lunches
to Red Bank residents. Today our reach has expanded and we serve our most vulnerable
neighbors who come from every town in Monmouth County, and from many in Ocean County.
Last year, we served over 61,000 hot meals. Our food pantry provides, on average, groceries
to over 750 families every month. Our volunteers deliver meals to the homebound six days a
week. In addition, we have a clothing distribution center that includes our Suited for Success
Program that provides business attire for job interviewees. We also have an Adopt-a-Family
holiday gift program, a Children’s Cooking Class, and a Gardener’s Market every Tuesday
morning, year round, that distributes donated fresh produce. We offer internet services,
employment information, and social, as well as health and wellness resources.” All this,
and more, is provided under the direction of the Board of Trustees along with Mrs. Love,
her small staff, and an army of more than 2,000 devoted volunteers, and is supported
through the generosity of residents and many organizations and businesses throughout
Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Hope happens here. So, please gather your friends
and family and join Lunch Break at their Gala to celebrate 31 years of dedicated service.
Our communities need Lunch Break and Lunch Break needs your support.

Tickets are $160 and may be purchased by visiting www.lunchbreak.org/gala.
If you have any questions, please call Petra Vanderven at 732-747-8577, Ext. 3106,
or e-mail her at pvanderven@lunchbreak.org. To learn more about Lunch Break,
its programs and events, please visit www.lunchbreak.org or contact Lunch Break
at 732-747-8577 or info@lunchbreak.org. Follow Lunch Break Facebook, and Twitter.

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