(above) Rotarians and volunteers prepare to give away ShopRite gift cards to families and individuals in Plainfield as part of the Plainfield Food Security Project.
Rotary Club Receives Thanks
Patrons of Plainfield Food Security Project Express Appreciation
Submitted by Michael Townley
In recent months, members of the Rotary Club of the Plainfields have donated time to the Plainfield Food Security Project, a joint effort with the duCret School of Art, Star Fish Food Pantry, and the YMCA of Plainfield to help feed the hungry during the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the cooperation of Lt. Dontay Gibson of the Salvation Army, the club members brought fresh fruit and vegetables and sometimes regular grocery items to the parking lot of the Salvation Army every Saturday. There they set up a distribution system with families and individuals lining up, socially distant, to receive a box of food. Three hundred or more boxes were given out each week, helping fill a desperate need in the community.
On August 22, the Rotarians distributed over three hundred $50.00 ShopRite gift cards to those waiting in line. Another three hundred cards were given out to families in a pop-up drive-through at Cedarbrook School, across from duCret School. “There was no food available that week,” said Michael Townley, Rotary Club representative. “The duCret School needed the space that the project was using so they could resume classes, and all of the food was given out the week before.”
The gift cards were purchased using a $30,000.00 grant from the Plainfield Foundation to the Star Fish Food Pantry. “The purpose of the grant was to purchase food or gift cards for distribution to help off-set hunger in Plainfield that was caused by Covid-19,” said Mr. Townley. “We knew that there would be no food on August 22, so purchasing the gift cards really filled the need.”
The surprise of the day at the Salvation Army was the presentation of “thank you” cards from one of the volunteer helpers who worked every week signing in the families. Three cards were circulated among the waiting families who expressed their heartfelt appreciation.
“Thank you for all the help you have provided to the Plainfield community, my family and many more. May God bless you all and thank you for everything.”
“Gracias por todo. Esto era muy importante.” (Thank you for everything. This was very important)
“Gracias por ayudarnos en estos momentos con la comida. Que dios te bendiga siempre.” (Thank you for helping us in these moments with the food. May God bless you always)
“Dios los vendiga por todos los alirentes. Bendiciones para todos.” (God bless you for all the food. Blessings for all of you.)
Many of the same sentiments were expressed verbally as the families received their gift cards and realized the value of the gift. “We didn’t need to speak or understand Spanish to know that the people were sincere in their appreciation,” said Mr. Townley. “As Rotarians, we are guided by our motto of “Service Above Self.” This project helped us put that motto into action to benefit people who needed our help. We consider the opportunity to have been a blessing for us, too.”
The Plainfield YMCA branch hopes to continue some form of food distribution going forward, most likely a series of one-day events where food is dropped off by the donors and distributed to families in need on the same day. These events will be announced on gscymca.org/locations/plainfield-ymca/plainfield-ymca/.
The Rotary Club of the Plainfields normally meets weekly for lunch to share in friendship and to plan projects and activities to support the people in the Plainfields. Meetings are suspended during the pandemic; visit rotarypnp.org to find out when and where the meetings will resume. Contact Michael Townley, club secretary, for more information –secretary@rotarypnp.org.
(above) Plainfield residents wait in line patiently for their opportunity to receive a $50.00 ShopRite gift card, distributed by the Rotary Club of the Plainfields for the Plainfield Food Security Project.
