The Middlesex County Association of Chiefs of Police have become supporting partners with Middlesex County Food Organization & Outreach Services (MCFOODS) to help stock the shelves for those in need in the county.
“This new partnership will make giving more accessible to every municipality in our County,” James Polos, executive director of the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA), which oversees MCFOODS, said in a prepared statement. “The commitment of the chiefs and their officers to help combat hunger in our county is exemplary and just one more example of law enforcement helping the communities they serve.”
Bins have been distributed by the MCIA and each police department in Middlesex County has established food collection sites at their respective police departments.
“We look forward to helping to promote food security and helping to provide nutritious foods and other basic necessities to our residents and we encourage residents to stop into their local police headquarters and drop off non-perishable food at any time,” Metuchen Police Chief David Irizarry, president of the association, said in the statement. “We have learned that, despite the best efforts of local and county businesses and civic organizations, MCFOODS’ supplies are dwindling and we will not stand by idly while our neighbors are in need.”
“Our local police departments are to be commended for establishing this partnership with MCFOODS,” Freeholder Deputy Director Charles E. Tomaro, liaison to the MCIA, said in the statement. “I appreciate their dedication and commitment to impacting the lives of our neighbors in need.”
The green donation bins will be routinely collected and added to the pick up route which includes public libraries.
In Middlesex County, more than 70,000 people are food insecure or unable to consistently access or afford adequate nutritious food, according to the statement. MCFOODS provides non-perishable foods and necessities to our network of more than 120 partner organizations throughout the 25 towns in Middlesex County.
For more information on MCFOODS, hosting a food drive or participating in upcoming events, visit www.mciauth.com or call MCFOODS at 609-655-5141.
