Dozens of residents joined local elected officials and volunteers in Jackson Township on Sunday to feed the hungry and to assist residents whose SNAP benefits have been interrupted by the recent federal shutdown.
Jackson elected officials, including Mayor Jennifer L. Kuhn, Council President Mordechai Burnstein, Council Vice President Guiseppe Palmeri, Councilman Ken Bressi, and Councilman-Elect Christopher Pollak, joined community volunteers, including former Councilman Steve Chisolm.
In total, hundreds of pounds of canned and packaged goods were donated by residents, filling an entire van for the Jackson Food Pantry.
Mayor Kuhn thanked the volunteers and residents who braved the high winds and cold temperature to help the community.
“It was great to see all of the township’s residents coming together for a good cause today,” Kuhn said, reminding residents that if they missed the event, they can donate directly to the Jackson Food Pantry, operated by the Jackson Women of Today.
Council President Mordechai Burnstein thanked all of the volunteers at the event.
“A lot of people thought we couldn’t come together after this past election, but we did it, and we did it for a great cause, to feed people in need in our town,” said Councilman Mordechai Burnstein. “I want to thank Councilman-Elect Pollak for his help in setting up and promoting this event and staying with us the entire time to make sure it ran smoothly, showing our entire town that we can work better together than we can against each other.”
“A heartfelt thank you to every volunteer, every resident, every organization, and every family who donated food, time, and energy,” said Council Vice-President Giuseppe Palmeri. “Your generosity will make a real difference for countless Jackson families who need a helping hand. Moments like this remind us what community is all about — coming together, lifting each other up, and making Jackson stronger one act of kindness at a time.”
Former Jackson Councilman Alex Sauickie, now a New Jersey State Assemblyman, also pitched in to help the drive. Assemblymen Sauickie and Rob Clifton joined to present their donation of grocery gift cards to the food pantry.
“With rising costs putting extra pressure on working families this holiday season, we wanted to do our part to help ensure no one in Jackson goes hungry,” said Assemblyman Alex Sauickie. “The Jackson Food Pantry, run so effectively by the dedicated volunteers of Jackson Women of Today, is a lifeline for many of our neighbors. We’re grateful to the Township Council for organizing this drive and proud to support their efforts.”
Assemblyman Rob Clifton added, “Community organizations like the Jackson Women of Today remind us what makes Jackson and all of our LD12 Communities special – neighbors helping neighbors. These gift cards will allow pantry clients to purchase exactly what their families need most. We encourage everyone who is able to contribute to this worthy cause.”
The Jackson Chamber of Commerce also presented the township with $2,500 in gift cards for the event. The gift cards were presented by Chamber of Commerce President Steve Chisolm and Vice-President Clara Glory.
The Jackson Chamber of Commerce has been generously donated to the Jackson Food Pantry for many years and each holiday season, members do a gift card drive in order to help those that need it. Mrs. Glory thanked the Jackson Township Council for rolling up their sleeves and helping the cause this year.
If you wish to donate to the Jackson Food Pantry, there is still time before the holiday season. Please visit https://jacksonwomen.tripod.com/id32.html for more details and schedules.