Students Trying to Make a Difference

During the holiday season even in a normal year there are many food drives to help various programs but as you can imagine that need is greater now than maybe any time in our history.

I’m not talking about in other parts of the state or country but right here in Ocean and Monmouth County.  All of these efforts are worthwhile and deserve support but today I would like to highlight one because it involves students trying to make a difference.

The Peer Education Program of the Toms River Schools (T.E.A.M) is holding a food drive this Saturday at Toms River High School North from 8 a.m.-12 noon.

Their goal is to collect 5,000 items to help stock the shelves of the Salvation Army, St. Josephs Food Pantry and the Hope Center located behind the Presbyterian Church of Toms River.  You are encouraged to not only donate food but cleaning supplies as well, another sign of the times.  In addition cash donations will be accepted.

Among the items they are soliciting are:

• Canned beans
• boxed/canned vegetables
• boxed cereal
• canned tomato sauce
• canned tuna
• chicken and meals like ravioli, spaghetti and more.
• Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, toothbrushes/toothpaste, bar and hand soap, shampoo, Ajax and more.
• Basically anything that has not or is not close to expiring.

54 students will work two different shifts during Saturday’s food drive while the other 188 T.E.A.M members will be donating food to aid the cause and also receive service hours.

For those that don’t know T.E.A.M. stands for Together Everyone Achieves More and is under the direction of Bob Petruski who taught and coached in the school district for many years.

To make things easier you never have to leave your car. Students will accept the donations from you.  Help support this great cause!