Gopal Urges Community To Give Back this Thanksgiving

In honor of the season of giving, Senator Vin Gopal is urging everyone to empty their cabinets, roll up their sleeves and give back this Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our own abundance and share with others,” said Senator Vin Gopal. “Many of us are fortunate to not have to question where our next meal is coming from. However, far too many of our neighbors here in Monmouth County are food insecure and for those residents, a full Thanksgiving meal is simply out of the question.

“I am calling on everyone in Monmouth County to come together and ensure that no one in Monmouth County has to go without this holiday season. Whether you donate a few cans of food, make a monetary donation or spend a few hours of your time giving back, any gesture of generosity will go a long way.”

If you are interested in giving back this Thanksgiving, please consider donating to or volunteer for one of the many incredible non-profit organizations here in Monmouth County. Here are just a few:

Fulfill
Fulfill, formerly The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, is currently accepting donations of perishable and non-perishable food items. Most needed items include: low sodium canned vegetables (green beans, corn, mixed veggies), canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, and canned beans, along with other meats and frozen vegetables.
Donations can be dropped off at Fulfull’s Neptune location at 3300 Route 66 Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 17 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
To donate or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit https://fulfillnj.org/help-loc...

Lunch Break
Lunch Break currently serves over 5,000 meals a month, including a hot breakfast on Saturdays, and distributes over 3,600 bags of groceries monthly to families throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Given the amount of food we serve and distribute, Lunch Break needs a steady supply of food coming in.
Lunch Break is currently in need of the following food items: bottled waterpeanut butter and jelly, canned fruits, low sodium vegetables, soups, stews, chili, tuna fish, chicken, canned beans, dry beans, lentils, nutritious snacks, shelf stable milk, brown rice, cereal, low sodium soups, spaghetti sauce, instant potatoes, pasta, canned tuna, and chicken, coffee, tea, juices, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, syrup, salt, pepper, salad dressings, garlic powder, lemon pepper, basil, oregano, sugar, flour, cake mix, icing, macaroni and cheese, mashed potato mixes, rice mixes, cooking oil (vegetable), individual portions of applesauce, pudding, snacks, juices, etc, gluten-free foods, and foods for our diabetics.
Donations can be brought to Lunch Break Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their Red Bank location at 121 Drs. James Parker Blvd. If you have any questions about making a food donation, please contact Executive Chef and Pantry Manager, Tyrone Burr at 732-747-8577 or pantry@lunchbreak.org.
To learn about other ways you can give back to Lunch Break, visit http://www.lunchbreak.org/

Jersey Shore Dream Center
The Center needs your help to ensure it’s annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner and Coat Drive is a success. If you would like to make a monetary donation or sign up to volunteer, visit http://jerseyshoredreamcenter.... or email jerseyshoredreamcenter@gmail.com.

“Together, we can make sure everyone has something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season,” said Senator Vin Gopal.