Woodbridge Township Announces 2022 Have-A-Heart Food Drive.  Have-A-Heart Sponsors:  (L/R):Debbie Meehan (Municipal Councilwoman), Peter Barcellona (We Feed Woodbridge), Richard Lieber (Sansone Automall), Angie Tsirkas (Northfield Bank), Karen Barnes (Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce), Sharon McAuliffe (Knot Just Bagels), Amy Krysienski (RSI Bank)

Mayor John E. McCormac today announced the kick-off of the 2022 “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive Challenge – sponsored by Sansone Corporate Charitable Foundation, Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce, RSI Bank, Northfield Bank, the Colonia Business Community, 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 $214.00 to assist Woodbridge food pantries continue their work providing food and meals to less fortunate residents and the homeless.  The 2022 “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 1,400 families. 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. Our residents and businesses continuously prove that they are willing to step up and collect food and monetary donations for those in need. The Have-A-Heart 214 Challenge has grown and now involves all facets of our community, making Woodbridge Township truly, the Best Town Around.” said Mayor McCormac.

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 Woodbridge Department of Health & Human Services, c/o We Feed Woodbridge, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

Woodbridge Township businesses, community associations, charitable foundations, educational and school organizations and residents have truly made a difference by donating more than $463,000.00 since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in April of 2020.  Additionally, the We Feed Woodbridge Food Bank Committee has collected more than 104,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to further support local food pantries. However, the need for donations continues to grow as families impacted by the pandemic continues to mount.

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