Middletown Helps Its Own Receives Critical Funds From Community Group

MID-DEM COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE RAISES CRITICAL FUNDS FOR MIDDLETOWN HELPS ITS OWN

The Mid-Dem Community Outreach Committee recently held 3 individual yard sale fundraisers to assist non-profit Middletown Helps Its Own (MHIO), an organization that provides food and sustenance to struggling families in the township. Though Hurricane Ian interrupted one of the weekend fundraisers, the committee rallied, re-scheduled and raised $3,000. The donation is critical to the efforts of Middletown Helps Its Own, who hosts an annual holiday meal distribution. Turkeys and all the trimmings are delivered directly to families by dedicated volunteers on the Saturdays before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Mid-Dem Community Outreach Committee Chairperson, Beverly Bova Scarano, stated, “Food insecurity remains a significant obstacle to the well-being of families in the area. Charitable feeding programs are strained beyond any measure of normalcy, and there are more people than ever who need assistance. Many of these people are not accustomed to asking for help and have fallen on terribly hard times. Organizations like Middletown Helps Its Own are lifelines for the community.”

2022 has been a strong year of charitable fundraising for the Mid-Dem Community Outreach Committee with several key donations to non-profit organizations. In June, a fundraiser benefitting No Limits Café and two additional organizations – The Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Foundation and World Central Kitchen - yielded a donation of $4,200. The Community Outreach Group Inc., which oversees The Calico Cat Emergency Food Pantry, received $3,200. The food pantry feeds more than 1,000 people a month including families and children. Additionally, the committee helped to provide toiletries for 100 hygiene kits for Destiny’s Bridge, an advocacy organization for the homeless, topping off the effort with a $275 donation.

The Mid-Dem Community Outreach Committee is issuing a call for volunteers to assist with the MHIO holiday meal deliveries in November and December. This is a wonderful way to support those in need and to work with dedicated volunteers. Teenagers are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact Beverly Bova Scarano at (908) 896-1682 or email her at beverlybovascarano@verizon.net.

Photo: Lending A Helping Hand To Middletown Helps Its Own are, left to right, Dora Crisafulli, June Haran, Linda Zinneman, Clare McIntosh, Jenny Wood, Pat Reilly, Kevin Daly, Janet Moscuzza and Linda Machado. Seated are Don and Barbara Skrivanek, Founders of Middletown Helps Its Own, holding a check for $3,000. Committee members not pictured, Peggy Rizzolo, Paul Jansen, Alice O'Grady, Lorraine Kephart, Dan and Michelle Pitzer.

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