Mayor's Charity Ball Raises $9K for Samaritan Center

Mayor Andrew Lucas presented a $9,000 check to the Samaritan Center at last night's Township Committee meeting at . The funds were raised at this year's held at the on Nov. 19.

This was the fifth year the charity ball was held, and it proved to be the most successful, according to the mayor.  "We raised the most money and had the most tickets sold," Lucas said. All proceeds go to two charities: the Samaritan Center, the local food pantry currently serving 450 families in need, and the 101st Airborne Division, which the township adopted several years ago.

President of the Samaritan Center's Board, Anthony Morelli, accepted the $9,000 check on behalf of the food pantry. 

"They are absolutely stretched to the max and I know that this will go to a very hardworking and well-deserving organization," Lucas said as he presented Morelli with the check.

Morelli thanked the Township Committee for the donation, as well as for all of the help they have received from the local government, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Samaritan Center.

"As most of you know, the Samaritan Center operates with all volunteer staff, so every dollar of this basically goes to purchase food," Morelli said. "We're supplying families now with food every week, so this is certainly appreciated and will go a long way."

The Samaritan Center is located directly behind the at 211 Rt. 522 in Manalapan. They serve struggling families food from Manalapan Township, Englishtown, Marlboro, and Millstone Township. For more information on donations and how to volunteer for the Samaritan Center, please call 732-446-1142.