Volunteers from the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges joined together to make the holidays merrier for those in need with a traditional Christmas dinner for 175 families. The annual event got a boost with donations from the New Jersey Association for Justice and Bendit Weinstock, a law firm in West Orange.
The pantry is located at the Church of the Epiphany and families began gathering early for a traditional ham dinner and all the trimmings. The pantry also distributed toiletries collected by Congregation Beth El preschool, gently used clothing, coats, books, toys and household items.
The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges is an organization with volunteers from and in Short Hills; Congregation Beth El and Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel in South Orange; and the Episcopal Diocese. Volunteers work weekly to provide supplemental food to families in need in the Orange and East Orange communities.
On a typical week, the pantry services 60 families at the Church of the Epiphany, up from 30 only a year ago. The pantry does not qualify for state or federal funding and must make do with donations from the community. Email Diane Stein dianehstein@aol.com for further information or to make a donation.
