RED BANK – Lunch Break, the soup kitchen and food pantry, is once again calling on local gardeners to help with its mission to serve those suffering from food insufficiency and insecurity.
The organization is looking for donations from those whose gardens produce a bumper crop and who have produce and herbs, as well as cut flowers, to spare and to share at Lunch Break’s Community Gardener’s Market. Guests and clients, who are served by Lunch Break, are so grateful when they can take home fresh produce along with the non-perishable emergency provisions they collect from the food pantry. The gardener’s market takes place year-round, each Tuesday between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., as long as fresh produce is available.
The market is located inside Lunch Break at 121 Drs. James Parker Blvd. in Red Bank. Garden donations can be made Monday afternoons, if possible; otherwise, they can be delivered Tuesday mornings.
Those who have questions regarding their donations may contact Sharda Jetwani at 732-784-7360 or at sjetwani@lunchbreak.org.
Lunch Break, which is celebrating its 31st year, is dedicated to serving the ever-increasing local population with a focus on healthy eating, including fresh vegetables and fruits. The organization is the first line of defense for thousands of people who struggle with hunger.
“Today our reach has expanded and we serve our most vulnerable neighbors who come from every town in Monmouth and Ocean counties,” said Gwendolyn Love, executive director of Lunch Break.
Hot meals served by Lunch Break has increased from 56,487 in 2012 to 61,827 in 2013. More than 750 families depend on Lunch Break every month for their groceries.
Additional information about Lunch Break, its activities and events is available by visiting www.lunchbreak.org, calling 732-747-8577 or emailing to info@lunchbreak.org.
