'Food Fight' Reignites Between Mendham and Chatham

Last year, Chatham handily defeated Mendham in their first annual food fight to help those in need in Morris County.

If Mendham sophomore Brendan Lewis has his way, that is going to change.

Facing off against Tim Lonergan, a junior at Chatham High School, the duo is partnering with You Give Goods to help provide assistance to the Salvation Army. 

In the first drive last year, Mendham and Chatham High School raised over $10,000 worth of food and this year they hope to beat that record. These rival high schools are fierce competitors on the sports field and are again using that competitive spirit to see which school can raise the most food for The Salvation Army. Lonergan has set up his food drive to support The Salvation Army Corps in Morristown and Lewis to benefit The Salvation Army Corps in Dover.

Both students are using the web-based technology platform from YouGiveGoods  to run the food drive contest.  The YouGiveGoods website allows people to buy food online for the drives and lets the students reach more people with an easy way to give food.  At the end of the contest, YouGiveGoods will deliver the food free of charge to both food pantries being supported.

“I’m happy to be able to help out again this year. Sometimes it’s easy to forget there are people in need right here in Morris County.  And since it’s such a busy time of year for most people, I’m glad I can offer them an easy way to donate food right online," Lonergan said.

The Salvation Army NJ Division has serious concerns about the shortage of food for the summertime, especially with the significant increase in food that has been distributed to people in need in New Jersey over the past year. 

“We are so grateful to have the food drive contest running again this year for our benefit.  I don’t think people realize how important it is to fill the food pantries in the summer when kids are not in school to get their one hot meal a day.  And with summer schedules, very few groups are able to run food drives.  We are hopeful that this year’s food drive contest will be as successful as last year,” said Brenda Beavers, Divisional Director of Human Services for the Salvation Army NJ Division. 

Beavers, a former Mendham resident, and West Morris Regional Graduate '69 wanted to see a strong showing from her community in the second round of competiton.

"Go Mendham!" Beavers said. 

The Chatham versus Mendham Food Drive Contest ends on June 17.