With the growing number of families in New Jersey who can’t make ends meet and need help to feed their children, United Way of Greater Mercer County (UWGMC) will be kicking off a virtual Strike Out Hunger on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). This is the sixth consecutive year United Way has hosted the event, which brings together businesses, individuals and advocates, working together to help reduce hunger in Mercer County. United Way will continue to support fresh produce distribution to promote nutrition and healthy eating. This will be in partnership with Rolling Harvest Food Rescue.
UWGMC is asking that individuals join the #bagchallenge. The purpose of this event is to create environmentally friendly bags at home using a clean t-shirt and to then fill the bag with nonperishable food items including canned meats, vegetables, healthy cereals, etc. In addition to the drop-off scheduled for June 16th at TCNJ, additional curbside food donation drop-offs will take place from June 23 to June 30 at various locations in Mercer county including select Starbucks and Investors Bank branches as well as the WPST radio parking lot. Caring citizens from community organizations, corporations and volunteers have already started to join the challenge online. Strike Out Hunger will provide non-perishables to food pantries, churches and soup kitchens, delivered by Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.
United Way partners with several community Non-Profits to connect people with resources, investing in programs, community partnerships, and volunteer engagement in youth and family success.
As United Way continues to build Strike Out Hunger, partnering with community organizations, organizing volunteers and generating awareness of increased food insecurity among children and families throughout Mercer County, Sandra Toussaint President & CEO is extremely grateful for all the volunteers and supporters.
“When you take part in feeding our community, especially given the crisis we are going through, that is such a gratifying feeling for everyone involved in the effort,” said Sandra Toussaint, President & CEO at United Way of Greater Mercer County.
UWGMC is working with Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, and Mercer Street Friends Food Bank to distribute food. Sponsors for this year’s community food drive include Horizon NJ Health, NRG, NJM Insurance Group, Wells Fargo, Aqua, Berkshire Bank, Investors Bank, Mass Mutual, M&T Bank, Mercadien, PNC Bank, Stark & Stark, St. Francis Medical Center and The Rotary Club of the Princeton Corridor.
The planning committee for Strike Out Hunger has representatives from companies and nonprofits: Arbonne, Grounds For Sculpture, Horizon NJ Health, Investors Bank, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, M&T Bank, Mercer Street Friends, NJM Insurance Group, Northfield Bank, PNC Bank, Present Company, Princeton University, Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, SL Business, Stark & Stark, The College of New Jersey and Wells Fargo.
This year’s virtual Strike Out Hunger event is part of the United Way’s Worldwide Day of Action, which helps corporations meet Corporate Social Responsibility goals, strengthen their corporate culture, and do good for the community in which they work. For more information, visit: http://www.uwgmc.org/soh
