By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
PLUMSTED – A Plumsted Township teenager has been recognized for the humanitarian work he has undertaken beyond the borders of his hometown.
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Dominic Esposito, 16, the son of Anthony and Bevin Esposito, was honored as the 2017 Junior Humanitarian of the Year by the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties during a gala held March 24 in Middletown.
Dominic’s mother, Bevin, said her son was honored for his work with his charity Scrap Hunger Inc.
“I felt excited and humbled to receive this award,” Dominic said. “I have the utmost respect for everyone involved with the FoodBank. They are some of the most dedicated and selfless people I have ever met. The FoodBank and those who work to support it really inspire me.
“Hundreds of young people use their gifts and talents to raise money for the FoodBank each year and I am truly honored to be selected as the 2017 Junior Humanitarian,” he said. “I also feel grateful to live in an area where residents and businesses have chosen to join the fight against hunger by donating unwanted metal.”
Dominic, who is a junior at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, said his idea for Scrap Hunger grew out of an environmental project through which he learned that some businesses and residents were not properly recycling small scrap metal. He began collecting and selling scrap metal and putting the proceeds to good use.
“Word spread, mostly through social media, and the calls, texts and emails came flooding in. In addition, with the support of my high school, I organized two walk-a-thons. Fast forward three years and Scrap Hunger has collected over 89,000 pounds of scrap metal and donated $22,100 to the FoodBank,” Dominic said.
Dominic said he plans to keep collecting scrap metal in order to raise money for the FoodBank.
“Spring and summer are our busiest months. I am already getting lots of calls for scrap metal pick-ups from residents and businesses,” he said. “Evenings and weekends will be pretty booked until school lets out. Then it becomes an active part-time job that keeps me on my toes. My goal right now is to keep turning scrap metal into food.”
Dominic is also the president of the Plumsted Youth for Nature and the Environment, which is an active youth environmental service organization in Plumsted.
In 2016 he organized a “Run It Forward” campaign that collected 82 bicycles. The donated bicycles were refurbished by volunteers at the Trenton Boys and Girls Club Bike Exchange and sold at affordable prices. The proceeds help to support the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton.
