Champions for Charity help battle hunger
What do the county’s high school students, Department of Human Services, Division of Social Services and Freeholder Director Jeff Parrott have in common? They have teamed up with a common mission: to work together to stock and re-stock the shelves of the county’s food pantry through the Champions for Charity program. In October 2009, Carol Novrit from the Division of Social Services presented an overview of the food pantry to the freeholders, explaining the dilemma of the increase in people counting on it for their meals. The number has jumped from 800 to 3,000. Food is flying off the shelves as quickly as it comes in, with approximately 6,000 pounds in total leaving each month. How to keep the cupboard full? Parrott sprang into action. Having served on High Point’s Board of Education for seven years, he began tapping into his contacts. He reached out to Father Kieran McHugh at Pope John High School and they developed the program. Since November 2009, it has become a monthly ritual for Parrott to work together with county high schools and gather up food collected by students. To achieve their goal, many schools have gotten creative. In lieu of admission fees to Wallkill Valley’s sports events, attendees were encouraged to bring non-perishable foods even their opponents demonstrated a good sportsmanship by making contributions. “It is a simple idea, the superintendents were gracious and understood the need, simplicity and just getting the job done,” Parrott said. On collection days, students pass the food items in an assembly line fashion to the interim destination: a county bus. The contents are driven away, weighed in, and the bus makes its delivery to the pantry. “Kids who had been previously uninvolved in any activities are reaching out to help,” said Parrott of the overall scope of the project, and its many positive effects. Parrott’s own children Connor, Carson and Carley have had the chance to participate in their high school and told their father how fulfilling their involvement was. The initiative has taken notice and is being lauded by New Jersey State Senator Steven Oroho. It has become a model for similar projects starting up in other parts of the state. Another benefit of the program is not one taxpayer dollar was spent in the process, and people helped by donating food items as they were able. “We’re just people helping people,” Parrott concluded.
What is better than knowing people are not going hungry and there are students elated to help? The students have been wonderful!” Carol Novrit, Director, Division of Social Services
Results of the Stuff from The Bus Campaign in pounds of food
19,930 - Sparta High School
12,120 - Pope John High School
7,950 - Wallkill Valley Regional High School
5,650 - High Point Regional High School
Newton High School, Sussex County Technical School, Lenape Valley Regional High School, Kittatinny Regional High School, Vernon Township High School, and Hopatcong High School will alternately be contributing through May 2010.