Community Corner

Jefferson Food Pantry Needs Help

Mayor Russ Felter declares Jefferson Township Food Pantry Awareness Month at urging of local girl scout.

All they had was box of pasta and a can of beans.

That was what Jefferson Girl Scout Haley James discovered when she visited the town food pantry. From there, James launched into action. Working on her Gold Award, the highest rank in girl scouting, James began her quest by contacting Jefferson Township Mayor Russell Felter. 
Felter acted quickly, by delcaring July Jefferson Township Food Pantry Awareness month at the July 5 council meeting. Since then, James has been on a mission.
"My daughter is working on refilling our town pantry," Dawn James said. "Already, a food drive at the A&P has been conducted and over 200 donations were given."
According to Dawn James, her daughter is holding more food drives to close out the month.
"There are more July 19 and 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Milton A&P, July 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pathmark in Lake Hopatcong," James said.
According to James there will also be a pair of drives at Camp Jefferson at the Art Bonito Amphitheater July 20 and 27 during the Rolling Stones and Styx concerts.
James said that her daughter's drive is especially timely during the summer months.
"People think of the pantry in the winter months and in the summer they suffer greatly," James said.
But thanks to her daughter's work, things are starting to turn around.
"The pantry is also receiving donations from private donors and is starting to look healthy once again," James said.


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