HILLSDALE, N.J.—Drop off your frozen turkeys and trimmings as a donation to the Helping Hand Food Pantry on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at Hillsdale Methodist Church, 349 Hillsdale Ave.
“Not only will it be for Thanksgiving, we gather enough for freezers so we have some for Christmas as well,” explains Turkey Drive Coordinator Mark Loblonco.
The Helping Hand Food Pantry evolved from a need recognized in 1992 by a Boy Scout and Hillsdale’s public health nurse. The scout took the initiative to organize a food drive for his Eagle Project.
Seeing the need for continued food distribution, the public health nurse and welfare director managed the operation for the following six years.
In 1998 the Hillsdale Clergy Association united the four Hillsdale churches to establish one ecumenically sponsored food pantry.
The pantry is a non-profit charitable organization granted 501(C)(3) status by the IRS. It is entirely staffed by dedicated volunteers and relies on private donations, fundraisers, food drives and grants to serve those in need.
Services are limited to the towns of Emerson, Hillsdale, Oradell, Montvale, Washington Township, Westwood and Woodcliff Lake. To qualify for services, clients are required to confirm residency by providing two recent forms of ID with their name and address.
For more information, visit helpinghandfoodpantry.com.