Woodbridge Food Drive Begins Thursday, How You Can Get Involved

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On Thursday, Woodbridge Mayor McCormac announced the kick-off of the 2023 “Have-A-Heart” food drive challenge, sponsored by the Sansone Charitable Foundation, Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, Northfield Bank, Columbia Bank, Wegman’s and Corner News Publication.

The “Have-A-Heart” food drive challenges Township businesses, retail food service outlets, the hospitality industry, corporate businesses and offices, community associations, schools and residents to donate 214 pounds of food or contribute $214.00 to assist Woodbridge food pantries continue their work providing food and meals to less fortunate residents and the homeless.

The 2023 “Have-A-Heart” food drive ends on Valentine’s Day – Tues., Feb. 14, (hence the 2/14 challenge.)

“The need for food in our community has more than doubled since the coronavirus pandemic hit," said McCormac Thursday. "Our food pantries went from serving 600 families a month to now well over 1,400 families a month. Nobody should ever have to go to bed hungry, so we make it our mission in Woodbridge Township to provide people with food and other necessities.

Since 1995, the annual “Have-A-Heart” food drive — launched each January under the sponsorship of the Woodbridge Department of Health & Human Services and the We Feed Woodbridge Food Bank Committee — has become the most important community program undertaken throughout the entire year.

The “Have-A-Heart” food drive is coordinated by Peter Barcellona, Chairman of the We Feed Woodbridge Food Bank Committee.

All you need to do is give Peter a call at 732-855-0600 x5034 and tell him where and when to pick up a donation – 214 pounds of food or $214.00 - and volunteers will come directly to your location … it’s that easy!

Or, you can deliver 214 pounds of non-perishable food items to the Woodbridge Township Public Health Center (2 George Frederick Plaza) or the Woodbridge Community Center (600 Main Street) anytime between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday. Financial contributions (payable to We Feed Woodbridge) can also be dropped-off at the Health Center or mailed directly to the Office of the Mayor, Woodbridge Municipal Building, One Maine Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095 or to the Woodbridge Department of Health & Human Services, c/o We Feed Woodbridge, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

Last year (2022), the drive raised more than $63,100.00 and 20,000 pounds of food.

We Feed Woodbridge food pantries that get the food:

St. Anthony’s of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Port Reading - 732-634-1403

Heavens Helper's Pantry, 343 Pearl Street, Woodbridge - 732-742-8942

First Presbyterian Church of Iselin, 1295 Oak Tree Road, Iselin - 732-283-1188

Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity Lane, Woodbridge - 732-634-7422

Trinity Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, Trinity Lane, Woodbridge - 732-634-7422

Evangel Church, 48 Berkeley Blvd., Iselin – 732-283-3440

First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, 600 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge - 732-634-1024

St. James Roman Catholic Church, 174 Grove Street, Woodbridge - 732-636-4310

First Presbyterian Church of Avenel, 621 E. Woodbridge Avenue, Avenel - 732-634-1631

First Congregational Church, Barron Ave., Woodbridge - 732-634-0582

St. Cecelia Roman Catholic Church, 45 Wilus Way, Iselin - 732-283-0150

Fellowship Bible Church Food Pantry, 121 East Prospect Avenue, Woodbridge - 732-636-7727