Community Corner
Where to Donate Food This Holiday Season
There are many different ways you can lend a hand.
Food pantries across Sussex County are always looking for donations, and this year is especially tough. Many pantries across the state are all but bare as the holiday season approaches.
So how and where can you donate? There are two main resources you need to talk to if you have the giving spirit:
The Sussex County Food Pantry is available to help anyone who needs food for themselves, their family or their pets. Anyone interested in making a donation of nonperishable food items, including pet food, may stop by the Division of Social Services, 83 Spring St. in Newton Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monetary contributions are welcome too. No appointments are necessary. If you need to drop off a donation after hours, contact the office at 973-383-3600.
Project Self-Sufficiency distributes complete Thanksgiving dinners to hundreds of local families each year. To help its effort the group asks for donations of items such as pumpkin or apple pies, canned vegetables, including yams and cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, gravy, stuffing and mashed potato mixes. The group will accept frozen turkeys starting Monday, and cash donations to purchase food for Thanksgiving baskets are being accepted as well. Drop off items to the PSS office, 127 Mill St. in Newton. The office is open Monday and Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information about donating food or funds, call 973-940-3500.
In addition to the government and Project Self-Sufficiency, there are local food pantries that assist the hungry during the holidays:
- Hopatcong West Side UMC, 16 Maxim Dr, Hopatcong. Call Pastor Jeong at 973-398-0846. Open Mon., Tues, Thur. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Wed. 10a.m.-noon; or by appointment.
- First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, 32 Main St., Sparta, 973-729-6197. Open Mon., Wed., Fri. 9 a.m.-noon; Wed. 12:30 p.m.- 4 p.m.
- Stanhope United Methodist Church, 2 Route 183, Stanhope, 973-247-0247. Open Mon. thru Fri. 9 a.m.-noon or by appointment.
- Stanhope Presbyterian Church, 100 Main St., Stanhope, 973-347-5142. Open Mon. thru Fri. 9 a.m.-noon or by appointment.
Do you know of a food drive going on in your town, or a food pantry in need of donations? Post the information in the comments field below and Patch will help spread the word.
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