Woodbridge Announces Start of "Have-A-Heart" Food Drive

On Jan. 12, Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac announced the start of the annual Valentine’s Day “Have-A-Heart” food drive in the township.

The “Have-A-Heart” food drive challenges local businesses and residents to donate 214 pounds of food or contribute $214 to help food pantries in Woodbridge provide food and meals to the less fortunate and the homeless, according to a release from Woodbridge Township. The food drive, also known as the 2/14 challenge, derives its name from its ending date of Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day.

The ”Have-A-Heart” food drive have taken place each January since 1995, under the sponsorship of the the Woodbridge Department of Health and Human Services and the “We Feed Woodbridge” Food Bank Committee, the release said. The food drive brought in more than $33,000 and 21,000 pounds of non-perishable foods in 2014 and hopes to exceed those figures this year.

Those interested in contributing to the “Have-A-Heart” food drive can do so either by donating 214 pounds of food or $214.

If an individual is donating food, contact Peter at 732-855-0600, extension 5034, and tell him where and when to pick up the food. Volunteers will then come to the location provided. Additionally, food donations can be dropped off at the Woodbridge Township Public Health Center, located at 2 George Frederick Plaza, or the Woodbridge Community Center, located at 600 Main St., between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Financial contributions should be made payable to “We Feed Woodbridge” and can be dropped off at the Woodbridge Township Public Health Center or mailed directly to the Woodbridge Department of Health and Human Services, located at 2 George Frederick Plaza, to the care of We Feed Woodbridge.