EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - Atlantic County residents can easily donate non-perishable food items to those in need on their recycling day between Monday, Dec. 2, and Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, as part of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s 34th Annual Holiday Food Drive.
To participate, residents can simply place a clearly marked bag of donations at the curb on their scheduled recycling day during the two-week period. ACUA’s recycling crews will then collect and deliver donations to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey Southern Branch in Egg Harbor Township.
“Our food drive makes it very easy to help others in need this holiday season,” ACUA President Matthew DeNafo said. “We hope you’ll join us by placing out a bag of donations. Our crews will handle the rest.”
Rashawn Lymon and Adu Poku pick up non-perishable food items during the ACUA's annual Holiday Food Drive.Suggested donations include canned tuna and meats, soups, meals in a can, cereal, peanut butter, feminine hygiene products or diapers. No perishable, frozen items or food in glass jars.
According to statistics provided by CFBNJ:
• Nearly 35,000 people in Atlantic County are food insecure, including 10,000 children.
• Atlantic County has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state, about 1 in 8 people.
• Atlantic County has one of the highest rates of child food insecurity at 17.4% (about 1 in 6).
CFBNJ provides donated food to more than 300 partner agencies across Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties for distribution. These charities include emergency food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and other charitable feeding programs.
Since its inception, the ACUA Holiday Food Drive has provided more than 1 million pounds of food to those in need.
Atlantic County residents not serviced through ACUA’s curbside recycling program can bring donations to the ACUA Geo Administrative Building at 6700 Delilah Rd., or to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch located in Egg Harbor Township at 6735 Horse Pike.
For more information, call 609-272-6950 or visit www.acua.com/fooddrive.
