NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

140 Schools To Participate In Spring Food Drive

March 9, 2006 – Students in 140 public and private schools throughout the County are participating in the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (M.C.F.O.O.D.S.) 11th annual “Spring School Food Drive.”

Students from pre-school through 12th grade will collect non-perishable foods and personal products from March 13-27 to help stock the M.C.F.O.O.D.S. warehouse, which provides food for 60 food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the County.

The Spring School Food Drive is M.C.F.O.O.D.S.’ largest single event each year. Last year, more than 40 tons of food were collected.

“Each year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our students and their families and look forward to yet another strong year,” said Freeholder Blanquita B. Valenti, M.C.F.O.O.D.S. liaison.

Among the most needed items this year are: vegetables, canned meats, stew, tuna fish, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits, macaroni and cheese, rice, and personal and paper products such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, diapers, wipes, paper towels, plates, napkins and toilet paper.

“Since the holidays have passed donations have really slowed down and the stock at our warehouse is very low,” Valenti said. “We have been having great difficulty keeping up with the increasing demand for emergency food in the county.”

Valenti said residents are reminded that donations are accepted year round at the public libraries in Edison, Milltown, Monroe, North Brunswick, Plainsboro, South Brunswick, Spotswood and Woodbridge.

M.C.F.O.O.D.S. also conducts year-round food collection programs and works with local corporations to sponsor drives at their facilities. The M.C.F.O.O.D.S. goal is to have at least one 2-week-long corporate food drive each month in order to sustain the local food pantries. Company officials should call (732) 729-0880 for more information.

 -30-