Interfaith Food Pantry Dishes out Honors at Annual Spring Gala

The Interfaith Food Pantry (IFP), which serves Morris County residents by supplying groceries to those in need, will recognize Pfizer, Willis Towers Watson, and the Junior League of Morristown at their annual Spring Gala, “From Hunger to Hope”, on April 7, 2017 at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ.

“We are so pleased to recognize these organizations for their long term support and partnership”, said Rosemary Gilmartin, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry. “With their help, last year we distributed over a million pounds of nutritious food, including meat and produce, providing assistance to more than 9,300 people across Morris County.”

Pfizer, the IFP’s “Pantry Partner Award” recipient and Premier Sponsor of this year’s Gala, is being recognized for their involvement since the ‘90s, when Madison-based Wyeth, subsequently acquired by Pfizer, started conducting food drives for the IFP. In addition to food and school supply drives, they hold many volunteer activities, sponsor numerous events and featured IFP during their signature “Take Your Children to Work Day” in 2015. Peter Caldini, Regional President, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, North America says volunteerism is an inherent part of Pfizer’s culture. “Our company is committed to making a positive impact on the health of people around the world. Our partnership with the Interfaith Food Bank is especially meaningful because we are helping people right where we live and work. Hunger and food insecurity affect many communities around the world including here in our backyard in New Jersey."

Willis Towers Watson and the Junior League of Morristown will be receiving the IFP “Outstanding Service” and “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” Awards, respectively. Like Pfizer, Willis Towers Watson has been an active supporter of many Interfaith Food Pantry’s programs, including the “We’ve Got Your Back” school supply program, the IFP “Kitchen to Table” activity in which employees prepare microwaveable meals for Pantry clients who are homebound and have limited cooking abilities, and the special annual holiday programs.

The Junior League of Morristown began assisting IFP with the annual Thanksgiving program in 2006 delivering baskets to homebound clients on Thanksgiving Day. In response to the need of elderly clients who could not cook their own turkey dinner, a few years ago their members began coming up in advance to cook and package individual turkey dinners which were then delivered by IFP volunteers on Thanksgiving Day. The Junior League of Morristown is also being recognized for their commitment to educating children and their families about the importance of nutrition and exercise through their “Children Making Healthy Choices” program. Since 2006 their volunteers from the organization have developed and run family cooking classes and demonstrations for clients at the Pantry every year.

The Spring Gala, which is the Pantry’s largest annual fundraiser, is a formal dinner with live and silent auctions, merchandise and cash raffles, and entertainment. Tickets are $250 each and may be purchased online at the IFP website www.mcifp.org. For more information, call 973-538-8049 or email interfaithfoodpantry@mcifp.org