Election Day food drive considered a success
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer

WOODBRIDGE - The recent elections netted approximately 15,000 pounds of much-needed food for the various food banks and pantries in the township, which was part of the Cast a Can When You Cast Your Vote food drive.

Over 100 high school students from Colonia, John F. Kennedy Memorial, and Woodbridge high schools coordinated the election food drive with the Board of Elections and town hall to place drop-off containers at more than 60 polling locations throughout the township.

The students then collected the containers at the close of elections and took the food to the township Health Center, where it was sorted and distributed to the food banks and pantries.

"The food drive was a tremendous success and demonstrates that the township residents will always stand ready to help their neighbors in time of need," said Mayor John E. McCormac.

In March, Colonia High School teacher Joyce Brown brought the idea of the Election Day food drive to the attention of the township and worked with the township's We Feed committee and the Board of Elections to make the program a reality.

Students will continue to advertise the program through lawn signs, banners, posters, fliers and a commercial produced for the local township station, TV-35, for every election in the township.

"It goes without saying that this unique student-run food drive will continue and perhaps will grow to be part of a countywide election day food drive for future elections."

Additionally, nonperishable food can be dropped off any weekday at the township Public Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., as well as Woodbridge Town Hall, 1 Main St.; the Woodbridge Library, 1 George Frederick Plaza; or the Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St. For more information about the We Feed Committee, contact Peter Barcellona at (732) 855-0600, ext. 5034.