Donating to a Sussex community in need, one turkey, and freshly baked pie, at a time

NEWTON − As snow flurries drifted from the sky, a flurry of feet scattered across the pavement at a Sussex County non-profit on Monday as a team of volunteers and employees worked in unison in the brisk cool air to help those in need this holiday season.

Dozens of cars lined the parking lot of Project Self-Sufficiency in Newton as families in need of a warm, home-cooked meal this Thanksgiving accepted free frozen turkeys and all the trimmings — think fresh produce, vegetables, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix and freshly baked pies — for the organization's annual distribution drive.

While comforting knowing residents will enjoy a traditional holiday meal, the dozens of vehicles that lined up Monday afternoon was a harrowing reality that many community members — family, friends, neighbors, co-workers — are struggling to make ends meet.

The organization, which provides free programs and services to those in need in Sussex, Morris, Warren and Hunterdon counties, has distributed turkey meals to the community for many years.

But this year, over 500 families received take-home meals — a number that has far exceeded years past.

"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," said Deborah Berry-Toon, the executive director of Project Self-Sufficiency.

The pandemic increased food insecurity, and high inflation has only exacerbated the situation, according to a report by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. There are more than 34 million people, 9 million of them children, in the United States considered food-insecure, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In New Jersey, 8.3% of households are considered food-insecure.

Michael McNamara, a longtime volunteer, donated thousands of pounds of vegetables to assist with this year's donations to Project Self-Sufficiency, citing his recent birthday as a good reason to donate.

"I have been fortunate in my life, and I am honored to be able to use this opportunity to help those in need," he said.

The youth group at the First Presbyterian Church of Newton donated 200 freshly baked pies, which Colleen Duffy, an associate for the family nurture program, said was something the congregation and youth group "look forward to every year."

"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," she said.

The funds to purchase 200 turkeys came from a local group loosely known as the College of Knowledge as well as a group of members from the Lake Mohawk Golf Club, all spearheaded by Roy Knutsen, a member of Project Self-Sufficiency's Leadership Council, who noted the cost of turkeys has "more than doubled" since last year.

Hundreds of turkeys were also donated by Mary and Jim DiCarlo, who worked with Acme to secure the goods.

"In this economic climate it is so important for people to support those of (in our) community who are struggling now, and I am happy to be in a position to do so," said Mary DiCarlo.

While families were able to pick up their turkey meals on Monday and again during a designated time on Tuesday — residents in need called in advance to secure a bag — those that were homebound were not forgotten. Parishioners of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Sparta provided meals to those at home, a tradition that has been in place for nearly 40 years.

"This started as a youth group project and it has grown over the years ot involve the whole congregation," said Phyllis Fawcett, the church's program organizer. "Everyone feels like they are doing something useful for these families."

Monday's food drive also included a visit by Robert Asaro-Angelo, the commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The New Jersey Youth Corps, a group for young adults in Sussex and northern Warren counties looking to obtain their high school degrees while gaining on-the-job training, helped package and distribute the meals on Monday. ​

Several other food drives took place in the community with donations from the community in the form of food, baked goods, gift cards and funds.

Lori Comstock can be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Thanksgiving donations NJ: Non-profit donates over 500 meals