More than 500 Sussex County families will be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings this year, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, churches and individuals who donated voluminous amounts of food for Project Self-Sufficiency participants this November. Agency staff and volunteers recently bagged hundreds of frozen turkeys, along with fresh produce, cans of cranberry sauce, vegetables, stuffing mix, dinner rolls, and freshly baked pies and distributed them to local families.
“The current economic situation, coupled with the lagging effects of the coronavirus pandemic, have plunged many of our participants into a situation where food insecurity has become a deeply troubling issue. The overwhelming generosity of our friends and neighbors is appreciated now more than ever,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We have a lot to be thankful for this year.”
Thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables were provided by longtime Project Self-Sufficiency volunteer Michael McNamara and his family in recognition of McNamara’s recent birthday. “My whole family is involved in supporting Project Self-Sufficiency all year long,” noted McNamara. “I have been fortunate in my life, and I am honored to be able to use this opportunity to help those in need.”
The First Presbyterian Church of Newton Youth Group, along with help from the congregation, donated 200 freshly baked pies. “The Youth Group and the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton look forward to baking pies for Project Self-Sufficiency’s Thanksgiving baskets each year,” said Colleen Duffy, Associate for Family Nurture at the First Presbyterian Church. “Our mission is to be a beacon of light and hope to our community, and pie-baking is just one of the ways that we let our light shine.”
Funds for the purchase of 200 frozen turkeys were donated by the ad hoc group of approximately 12 men and women known loosely as the College of Knowledge, along with a contingent from the Lake Mohawk Golf Club; the donation was spearheaded by Project Self-Sufficiency Leadership Council member Roy Knutsen. “The cost of turkeys has more than doubled since last year, due to the avian flu and other factors,” noted Knutsen. “Half of the money we collected came from College of Knowledge alumni and the other half was donated by some wonderful people at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club.”
Deliveries to homebound families were provided by parishioners of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, a tradition which has been in place for nearly 40 years. “This started as a Youth Group project and it has grown over the years to involve the whole congregation,” remarked program organizer Phyllis Fawcett. “Everyone feels like they are doing something useful for these families.”
Mary and Jim DiCarlo donated hundreds of frozen turkeys with the help of Acme which secured and delivered the birds to Project Self-Sufficiency. “The thing that impresses me the most about Project Self-Sufficiency is their mission to help make families become self-reliant. They offer such comprehensive programs, and they have a monumental impact on the community,” commented Mary Di Carlo. “You cannot find a better organization that brings their level of success. In this economic climate it is so important for people to support those of our community who are struggling now, and I am happy to be in a position to do so.”
A joint Thanksgiving food drive was also conducted by Board member Dee Fernandez and Leadership Council member Kathy Nauta, with the help of their friends, families, and neighbors, culminating in donations of gift cards and funds to purchase bushels of canned goods and fresh produce. Hundreds of pounds of fresh apples were supplied by longtime Project Self-Sufficiency supporter John Mathews. Generous donations of turkeys, food, baked goods, gift cards, and funds were also received from numerous other individuals and families.
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