MOUNT OLIVE TWP. – For those who might be economically-challenged, how about a roast chicken meal with potatoes and butternut squash, for $1.62 per serving.
The food pantry, sponsored by the non-profit “Partners in Compassion Inc.,” is located at Christ Episcopal Church at 369 Sandshore Road, Budd Lake. The pantry is open from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the second and fourth Monday of each month; 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays; and from 11 a.m.. to 1 p.m., Saturdays.
The pantry will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24 through Tuesday, Dec. 27.
Pantry Philosophy
The website notes that the pantry’s guiding philosophy is best expressed in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” and Anne Frank who wrote “How wonderful that no one need wait a single moment to improve the world.”
The new website offers a wide amount of information, from hours and services to an easy way to donate to the food bank to a listing and explanation of various community resources. There are photos of volunteers and events at the pantry and information on making sure to have certain foods on hand to easily prepare affordable meals.
Simple foods that are a must for the kitchen range from rice, quinoa and bulghar wheat to vegetable stock, potatoes and garlic. The website notes that these are foods that can be quickly prepared without going to the grocery store. One example: Using an oven-safe pan, sautee a chopped onion and a few chopped cloves of garlic in olive oil with plenty of spices like cumin, coriander, paprika and chili pepper flakes. Add one cup rice and keep stirring for about five minutes. Add one can of tomatoes, one can of water, a vegetable stock cube and any other veggies, canned or fresh. Add a can of beans too, and keep stirring until the stock cube is melted. Cover and put the dish in a pre-heated 350°F oven for 30 minutes. It’s a quick meal with red rice and veggies.
There are links to supporting partners including the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mount Olive Kiwanis Club, the North Porch Women and Infants’ Center and Interfaith Food Pantry in Morristown.
A blog covers topics such as how to quickly cook healthy and affordable meals; tips on storing food; and shelf lives of various foods.
Lucco, who lives in Budd Lake, is a member of the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce. She said she first became familiar with the pantry last year when she went to donate food and met pantry director, Susan Morse. Soon, Lucco was volunteering every Tuesday doing everything from sorting food and checking food for expiration dates, to helping people shop and bag food.
Eventually, Lucco offered to create the new website.
“Sue wanted something more than just information on the food pantry and things fell into place very quickly,” said Lucco who started her business in 2011 and moved to Budd Lake in 2013.
One idea which was a natural for the food pantry was to offer affordable and simple recipes, like the roast chicken meal. Lucco and her brother, Jeff of Butler, Pa., came up with the recipes.
Lucco also is a member of the Mount Olive Community Garden in Budd Lake and she and other members of the community garden have donated produce like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers that they have grown to the food pantry. She also writes a column on the garden for the food pantry.
Shopping at the pantry is easy. Customers must provide proof of residency in Mount Olive or proof of attending a house of worship in Mount Olive. Shopping is permitted once per month per family and the amount of items allowed is based on family size.
Available items include canned meats, canned vegetables, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, tomato products, Mac ’n’ Cheese, couscous/quinoa, condiments, oil, vinegar, beans, cereals (cold/hot), jam/jelly, peanut butters, soups (dried/canned), crackers, paper products, personal care items, baking products, laundry detergent, broth, coffee/tea, boxed milk and dog/cat food.
The Mount Olive Pantry started out as a small office in the township’s municipal building. In 2013, Mayor Rob Greenbaum and asked the Rev. Matthew Jones at Mountaintop Church and the Rev. Sonia Waters at Christ Episcopal Church if they could help to expand the pantry and its services.
In 2014, the pantry was privatized under the direction of Partners in Compassion, a charitable 501 C3 organization, and affiliated with Mountaintop Church.
The pantry was relocated in late spring 2014 to its present location in the lower level of Christ Episcopal Church. The office is located 6 Naughright Road, in Mountaintop Church.
Morse began as the pantry administrator in early 2014. The pantry is staffed by volunteers from area churches and local residents. The pantry accepts donations of non-perishable donations at any time; they may be left in the drop box at the pantry’s entrance. For any perishable donations, call the pantry at (862)251-3938.
