Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated by everyone. For me I am blessed with a wonderful family and a job that makes people joyful this season. Working at Rise-a Community Service Partnership this Thanksgiving was inspirational because so many reached out to help struggling families. Although the list is long and I am sure I am missing a few important people, I would like to recognize some important contributors to the Rise Food Pantry this holiday. Without the coordination of the Rise team, Mercer Street Friends, our volunteers and many individuals, companies civic and religious groups we would not be able to provide baskets to hundreds of families.

Volunteers work for weeks sorting can goods, creating baskets and greeting people with a smile. I would like to thank these individuals for donating their time and their only payment is making others happy-- which in itself is priceless. Barbara, Christina, Dave, Don, Doug, Ed, Edna, Gail A., Gail Z., Helena, John, Julie, Millie, Susan, Tony, Wayne, all spent countless hours in the Rise Food Pantry to help improve the holiday of so many.

Schools and religious groups like Brownie Troops 71426, Cheer University, El Beth Synagogue, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, G.N. Rogers School, HHS Red Cross Club, M.H. Kreps School, Mother of God Orthodox Church, New Jerusalem Christian Church, Peddie School, St. Anthony of Padua Church, St. David’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Windsor- Hightstown Area Ministerium, put together drives among their members.

Individual people dropped off turkeys or non-perishable food to help out others. It was heartwarming to see so many come together to make others happy this holiday. Mercer Street Friends, Whole Foods, Farmers against Hunger provided fresh produce with fall crops such as broccoli and potatoes.

Corporations and businesses contributed more this year than ever before. I believe with so many unemployed and underemployed people that those who have jobs realize that giving when you are able is especially important. 1^st Constitution Bank, AAA Mid-Atlantic, All Paws, Allen & Stults Ins., Conair Corp., Customized Benefits Solutions, Dance Expo & Dance Network, Elementis Specialties, Gamma Phi Beta,  Gold Gym, Hickory Corner Library, Hightstown Library, L’Oreal, Meadow Lakes, Patriot Media, PNC Bank, Rhodia, Riviera Community, Shiseido & Davlyn Ind., Shop Rite, Target 1345, The Adventurers Club of Renaissance, Twin Rivers Library, Yad-Ezra all did food, monetary collections and gift card drives to fill baskets of plenty for those families in our local area who need the most. In addition the Americana Diner will be served 572 hot meals and Diversified Shelving donated Shop Rite gift cards for 191 families who were eligible for the hot delivered meals.

Thank you. I am very appreciative this season of all the efforts of our volunteers, community and local businesses.  We are truly blessed to have such a long list of people to thank.

“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls” – Aesop 

- Julia Badulescu
Rise Food Pantry Coordinator