Woodbridge Kicks Off 2021 Have-A-Heart Food Drive

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On Friday, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac announced the kick-off of the 2021 “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive Challenge, sponsored by Sansone’s Rt. 1 1 Auto Mall Foundation, Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, RSI Bank, Northfield Bank, Chick-Fil-A, the Corner News Publication and Wegman’s.

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

The 2021 “Have-A-Heart” food drive ends on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, (hence the 2/14 challenge.)

“The need for food in our community has more than doubled since the coronavirus pandemic hit. Our food pantries went from serving 600 families a month to now over 1,300 families," said McCormac.

"Nobody should ever have to go to bed hungry."

Launched in 1995, Woodbridge does its “Have-A-Heart” food drive every January.

The 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.

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 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Financial contributions (payable to We Feed Woodbridge) can also be dropped-off at the Health Center or mailed directly to the Woodbridge Department of Health & Human Services, c/o We Feed Woodbridge, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

In 2020, We Feed Woodbridge collected over $300,000 in cash donations and more than 100,000 pounds of non-perishable food to support local food pantries.

We Feed Woodbridge Food Pantries:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Metro Park Assembly of God, 48 Berkeley Blvd, Iselin - 732-710-3663

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

St. Anthony of Padua Food Pantry, 436 Port Reading Avenue, Port Reading - 732-634-1403