By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
HELMETTA — There is a desperate need for volunteer help at the New Life Food Pantry as the number of needy people rises.
In operation since 2006, Kristen Tabert, pantry administrator, said they went from serving five to six Helmetta residents from donations received from the parish to now serving 45 to 60 families a week.
The pantry began as the St. George’s Church Food Pantry and this year became a separate nonprofit organization due to its growth.
“We currently serve 84 percent of the communities in Middlesex County, and as the pantry grows, our need for help grows with it,” she said, adding that the pantry sees families from Monmouth and Mercer counties as well as out of state.
Tabert said they receive food from multiple sources, including area stores.
“We received 4,838 pounds of food last week alone from local stores,” she said. “And we served it to 54 families.”
Tabert said the pantry is unique in that it serves anyone in need regardless of where they live or their income level.
“Many people make too much money to qualify for assistance, but not enough to live on,” she said. “And we allow our patrons to select the food they want; we do not pre-bag items for them. We find that this creates an atmosphere where the patrons feel they are ‘shopping’ rather than being given a handout. The welfare and dignity of our patrons is our highest priority.”
There are weekly volunteer opportunities that include 10:30-11:30 a.m. and/or 1-2 p.m. on Mondays for receiving food, breaking down cardboard and storing perishable items; noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays for cleanup after food distribution; and 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays for receiving food, breaking down cardboard and storing perishable items.
There are additional opportunities that include helping with food pickup ranging from once a week to once a month, which requires a larger vehicle; helping serve guests at the pantry’s monthly free community dinner; and grants research and writing.
Interested volunteers can contact Tabert at 732-521-0169 or NewLifeFoodPantry@gmail.com.
Contact Kathy Chang at kchang@gmnews.com.
