NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monroe Adult Communities Hosts Annual Food Drive

October 12, 2007 -- The 9th Annual Monroe Fall Harvest Food Drive to benefit the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (M.C.F.O.O.D.S.) has begun in eight adult communities. This food drive stocks M.C.F.O.O.D.S.’s shelves - the Middlesex County distribution center for more than 60 local soup kitchens and food pantries.

Residents of The Ponds, Rossmoor, Encore, Renaissance, Regency and Greenbriar at Whittingham can place donations of canned goods, other non-perishable food and personal hygiene items in special containers located at their community clubhouses. Containers will be collected by a M.C.F.O.O.D.S. representative on October 26.

Concordia and Clearbrook community residents receive collection bags and information flyers at their homes. After filling the bags with donations, they can leave them by their mailboxes for collection by the Monroe Department of Public Works on October 22 and 23.

"The 2006 Monroe Fall Harvest Drive generated seven tons of food, which helped keep food on our shelves during the fall and into the holiday season,” said Freeholder Blanquita Valenti, County liaison for M.C.F.O.O.D.S. “We hope the 2007 Monroe collections exceed last year’s results because the need for food is particularly great this year."

Items most urgently needed include canned fruit and vegetables, tomato products, canned meats and pasta, tuna fish, peanut butter and boxed cereal. Additionally, donations of personal care products such as soap, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste, and baby products such as diapers and baby wipes, are also welcome.

For more information, contact M.C.F.O.O.D.S. at 732-729-0880.

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