Post by admin on Nov 3, 2008 8:55:14 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/1029/front_page/012.html
Lunch program sees rise in meals served
Donations of paper goods sought by organizers of Freehold Borough charity
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Most people want to help those who are in need but sometimes they just aren't sure how to go about it, according to Stan Rosenthal.
Rosenthal spends a great deal of his post-retirement days volunteering at the Open Door hot lunch program at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Throckmorton Street.
Rosenthal co-founded the program with Jim Benedict. He said that in addition to providing a hot meal for individuals who need one, the program also allows people to do something and feel like they have given back to the community.
The Open Door hot lunch program is now in its sixth year of operation. Rosenthal and Benedict spend a great deal of time organizing and working on the program which offers a hot lunch several times a week.
From April 1 through Nov. 30 the program offers a hot lunch served at the church by volunteers. Lunch is served on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program expands on Dec. 1 and serves lunch on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"Everyone is welcome" to come in for a meal, Rosenthal said.
According to Rosenthal, the program served 23,200 people and 34,908 meals from January through December 2007. He said he is already seeing an increase in the number of meals being served this fall and expects that number to rise as the economy continues to struggle.
The program has also distributed 1,100 Bibles in English and Spanish, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, T-shirts, socks and toiletries.
The Open Door hot lunch program is one of the largest soup kitchens in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to Rosenthal. As more people stop by for a meal, the program's costs have risen.
"We are a volunteer-based and donationbased organization and we need some help," he said. "We need some very specific things to keep this program running.
"We spend a tremendous amount of money on paper products and are looking for people who would be interested in doing a paper products drive for us. This could be done in churches or schools, by Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or in neighborhoods," he added.
Benedict said volunteers will pick up items to be donated.
Items that are especially needed by the hot lunch program include 6-inch plastic foam bowls, 6-inch paper plates, 8- or 12-ounce plastic foam cups, napkins, placemats,
paper towels, toilet paper, tissues and plastic forks and sthingys.
Rosenthal said monetary donations are always welcome. He said all donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided upon request. Any donations may be dropped off at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
"Most of us live in nice warm homes and have clothes, cars and more than enough food to eat. These people have nothing. Besides being homeless, they are hungry, cold and lonely. We try to make them feel a part of our family," Benedict said.
"We would appreciate anything anyone can do to help these people. They are very humble and very grateful for anything they receive," he added.
"Most people want to help but don't know how. Here's a simple and effective way to make a difference," Rosenthal said. "If you show them how, most people will help. I truly believe this."
For further information or to donate items to the hot lunch program, call 908-902-0769 or 732-299-8603.
Lunch program sees rise in meals served
Donations of paper goods sought by organizers of Freehold Borough charity
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Most people want to help those who are in need but sometimes they just aren't sure how to go about it, according to Stan Rosenthal.
Rosenthal spends a great deal of his post-retirement days volunteering at the Open Door hot lunch program at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Throckmorton Street.
Rosenthal co-founded the program with Jim Benedict. He said that in addition to providing a hot meal for individuals who need one, the program also allows people to do something and feel like they have given back to the community.
The Open Door hot lunch program is now in its sixth year of operation. Rosenthal and Benedict spend a great deal of time organizing and working on the program which offers a hot lunch several times a week.
From April 1 through Nov. 30 the program offers a hot lunch served at the church by volunteers. Lunch is served on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program expands on Dec. 1 and serves lunch on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"Everyone is welcome" to come in for a meal, Rosenthal said.
According to Rosenthal, the program served 23,200 people and 34,908 meals from January through December 2007. He said he is already seeing an increase in the number of meals being served this fall and expects that number to rise as the economy continues to struggle.
The program has also distributed 1,100 Bibles in English and Spanish, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, T-shirts, socks and toiletries.
The Open Door hot lunch program is one of the largest soup kitchens in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to Rosenthal. As more people stop by for a meal, the program's costs have risen.
"We are a volunteer-based and donationbased organization and we need some help," he said. "We need some very specific things to keep this program running.
"We spend a tremendous amount of money on paper products and are looking for people who would be interested in doing a paper products drive for us. This could be done in churches or schools, by Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or in neighborhoods," he added.
Benedict said volunteers will pick up items to be donated.
Items that are especially needed by the hot lunch program include 6-inch plastic foam bowls, 6-inch paper plates, 8- or 12-ounce plastic foam cups, napkins, placemats,
paper towels, toilet paper, tissues and plastic forks and sthingys.
Rosenthal said monetary donations are always welcome. He said all donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided upon request. Any donations may be dropped off at St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
"Most of us live in nice warm homes and have clothes, cars and more than enough food to eat. These people have nothing. Besides being homeless, they are hungry, cold and lonely. We try to make them feel a part of our family," Benedict said.
"We would appreciate anything anyone can do to help these people. They are very humble and very grateful for anything they receive," he added.
"Most people want to help but don't know how. Here's a simple and effective way to make a difference," Rosenthal said. "If you show them how, most people will help. I truly believe this."
For further information or to donate items to the hot lunch program, call 908-902-0769 or 732-299-8603.