As part of the Christie Administration's
"Season of Service" NJDOT donates two
plow trucks full of food to Trenton Charities
Department-wide food drive
helps those in need this holiday season
(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials delivered two snow plow trucks loaded with food donated by NJDOT employees to two Trenton-based charities. A total of 2,950 items were donated by NJDOT employees, equaling 2,600 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable food.
The effort was part of Governor Chris Christie’s fourth annual “Season of Service” initiative in which the Governor, First Lady Mary Pat Christie, and leaders of state departments take part in community service projects around the state.
The NJDOT food drive, which benefited The Crisis Ministry of Mercer County and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK), was spearheaded by the Department’s operations and maintenance staff. It provided employees who work at any of the 62 maintenance facilities, as well as those employees at headquarters in Trenton, an opportunity to participate.
“This food drive was a way to directly help local communities and residents during a time of year that can be difficult for those in need,” NJDOT Commissioner Jamie Fox said. “I am proud of the statewide effort and the generosity of NJDOT employees.”
The two plow trucks and several NJDOT employees visited The Crisis Ministry of Mercer County and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) to make deliveries.
The Crisis Ministry of Mercer County’s three Client Choice food pantries provide access to fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods that promote good health for low-income people across Mercer County. In a given week, the Crisis Ministry provides enough food for its visitors to prepare 12,500 meals for themselves and their families.
“On behalf of The Crisis Ministry of Mercer County, we are so grateful for the incredible generosity of the New Jersey Department of Transportation employees,” Executive Director Carolyn Biondi said. “There are so many people in the community that struggle to put food on the table for their family and themselves, and the holiday season is a hard time of year not to have food. It’s the generosity of community partners, like the NJDOT, that make it possible for us to help those in need have enough to eat.”
Since 1982, TASK has been feeding those who are hungry in the Trenton area, and offers programs to encourage self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life of its patrons. TASK serves about 1,000 meals a day (lunch and dinner) to those in need.
“We appreciate the efforts of NJDOT staff, especially this time of year,” TASK Executive Director Dennis Micai said. “We depend on the community as a whole to serve the hungry of the Mercer County area.”
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