Staffers at Community Medical Center in Toms River mark an unprecedented level of donations in their annual Healthcare Harvest food drive, amassing 107,046 pounds of nourishment for the needy in Ocean County. That's nearly 55 tons.

CMC's Healthcare Harvest Weigh-In Team: (front) Alfredo Irizarry, Nathan Ernst, Fred Dipasquale, Chris Reidy; (back) Thomas Yanisko and Neil Bryant
CMC's Healthcare Harvest Weigh-In Team: (front) Alfredo Irizarry, Nathan Ernst, Fred Dipasquale, Chris Reidy; (back) Thomas Yanisko and Neil Bryant
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Thomas Yanisko, the hospital's Administrative Director for Hospitality Services, began the annual drive in 2006 to coincide with the end of the school year and as an adjunct to its seasonal blood drive.

This year they had set a target of 100,000 pounds, and eclipsed it with some help from 18,587 pounds of food donated by CMC workers.

It's gratifying for Stephanie L. Bloom, the hospital's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Their altruistic spirit is outstanding and I am grateful to work alongside them. Under the leadership of Tom Yanisko, they have proved once again why we are CMC Strong," she said in a prepared release.

The donations are on their way to several distribution spots including Ocean County Hunger Relief, the Salvation Army and the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean County.

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