By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, among other charitable organizations, is again experiencing a drop-off in food donations during the summer months – just when food assistance for low-income communities becomes critical, particularly for children.
Responding to that need, Catholic Charities is running its “2018 Hunger Doesn’t Go On Vacation” campaign, with a goal of restocking shelves for families and individuals needing food supplementation.
“We’re mirroring the same patterns as last year, in terms of food shortage,” said Richard Ferreira, program director for Catholic Charities Community Services, Burlington-Mercer County, nothing that Mercer County was particularly in need. “The summer months are critical for school-age children; a lot of low-income families participate in the schools’ breakfast and lunch programs – so in the summer, they’re not receiving that assistance.”
The campaign encourages donations of “child-friendly” healthy foods over the summer months for its food pantry. Items most needed include low-sugar cereals, peanut butter and jelly, boxed juices and frozen chicken nuggets.
Those in need can come to the Catholic Charities Community Services site once a month and apply for a bag of food, which serves four individuals. Ferreira said children can also come each morning with their families to pick up a breakfast-to-go bag.
“It usually has something like yogurt, cereal or a breakfast bar, juice – just so they can get some food in their bodies for the morning,” he explained.
Research has shown that school-age children who experience severe hunger are at risk of developing chronic health conditions, behavioral problems and low self-esteem.
Funding and food donations to Catholic Charities come mainly from local parishes and community residents, Ferreira said, with an additional small grant from United Way of Greater Mercer.
“Both [food and monetary] donations would be deeply appreciated,” he noted. “Whatever people feel their heart is guiding them to. It’s important to keep families fed, especially seniors and children.”
Donations of food items may be delivered to the Mercer County site at 132 North Warren St., Trenton. Monetary donations for the hunger campaign can be made online at CatholicCharitiesTrenton.org/hunger/.