The final count has been issued by the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties -- and the Food Drive collected 21,488 pounds of food items during the month of April. That's more than TEN AND A HALF TONS!
FoodBank officals said this was the largest spring food drive FoodBank has ever had.
"We're thrilled to have been a part of this highly successful Food Drive and we especially want to thank our Library patrons for being so generous," said Renee B. Swartz, chair of the Monmouth County Library Commission.
The main collection points were the 13 county library branches. As an incentive, the libraries offered to erase fines for overdue materials in exchange for donations of food. Collection bins were also at the Hall of Records in Freehold, the Agriculture and Human Services buildings in Freehold Township and a number of other county offices.
"The county library staff did a wonderful job responding to the call and expanding their Food for Fines program to help the FoodBank," said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Monmouth County Library. "Many people came to the libraries with food even though they did not owe a fine. We thank all our generous patrons who helped to make this drive a huge success."
"I am pleased that the Library was included in this year's food drive. It is an event that we all value as members of the society of Monmouth County. Thanks to the Food Bank for asking for our help and thanks to the staff of the Library for giving that help so freely,'' said Ken Sheinbaum, director of the Monmouth County Library.
Since 2006, the Monmouth County Library has collected food for local food pantries during its Food for Fines program held during National Library Week in April. This year, in conjunction with other Monmouth County departments as part of National County Government Month, the Library extended its Food for Fines program for the month of April.
Not only did Library staff take food items in return for lifting fines, but each branch also accepted regular donations of non-perishable food items from patrons who did not have overdue fines. Special bookmarks were printed and distributed to all Library patrons checking out books to ask them to join in the food drive.
Read more at the Monmouth County official website here:
