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Monmouth County’s FIRST, LARGEST and MOST ACCESSIBLE soup kitchen Newsletter - Winter - 2013 www.lunchbreak.org 732-747-8577 WE COULDNʼT DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT YOU! investment has allowed us to accomplish the following so far this year: A letter from Lunch Break’s new Board President, Mark Brahney Dear Friends of Lunch Break, You are extraordinary! Your generosity enables Lunch Break to give a voice, a future, and a sense of relief to so many needy families in every town in Monmouth County and beyond! As one of the richest counties in the country, Monmouth has a reputation for affluence and abundance, but a growing number of local families are struggling to put food on the table. By fighting hunger, Lunch Break feeds hope. The simple act of providing food to a family tells our recipients that there are people in our community who care and want to help. And that matters. You matter. At Lunch Break we give hope to so many who have nowhere else to turn and to many of those struggling, getting help from Lunch Break might be the only time someone has shown they care. What I find most impressive about Lunch Break is that it is a totally local organization. We are a local resource that supports local people with your help and the help of over 2000 volunteers. More importantly, every dollar raised here, stays here, which means that by giving to Lunch Break you are investing in the quality of life in OUR community. Your gifts touch the lives of more people in need every year. Already surpassing our 2012 numbers, your
• On average, we assist 500 families every month with groceries through our pantry. In November we assisted 900 families. Every family is provided grocery bags filled with 36 pounds of nonperishable food. 900 x 36 lbs equals 32,400 pounds of food or over 18 tons. •The lines at our soup kitchen get longer every day. In 2012, we served 56,487 hot meals and this year that number will top out at over 70,000. • Our clothing division accommodated over 9,000 pickups for needy families. The numbers are startling and clearly, the role Lunch Break plays in our community is critical. Thanks to friends like you, Lunch Break was able to provide more food than ever before. It’s important to note that the above numbers are in addition to the burgeoning growth we are seeing in our Suited for Success, Kid’s Cooking Class, Community Garden, Holiday Basket, Internet Cafe, Back to School and Adopt a Family programs. Your continued support will allow us to reach more people in need this coming year. We couldn’t do what we do without you!
gifts. If you are in the area, please visit us or contact us at 732 - 747 - 8577. We would love to hear from you. From all of us,, THANK YOU!
Mark k Brahney h President - Board of Trustees PS It’s not too late to make one last tax deductible gift in 2013 — and not too late to help make sure all our neighbors start the new year with enough food to eat. Please consider making a special year end gift using the enclosed envelope or donate online at www.lunchbreak.org. Your tax deductible donation will help ensure no one in our community goes hungry in the New Year.
April 10, 2013 Dear Mrs. Love,
All of us here at Lunch Break are deeply grateful for your support and generosity. Some of my most inspirational and professionally fulfilling moments at Lunch Break are seeing the expressions of gratitude on the faces of those we serve. I would very much like the opportunity to show you personally the impact of your
CREDITS Editor - Gwendolyn O. Love, Executive Director Photos - Millie Jeter, Betsy Wattley, Suzanne Vreeland Coordinator - Jill Gwydir Creative - Kate McMahon Writers - Kate McMahon, Sharda Jetwani, Tyrone Burr and Bobbi Daugherty www.lunchbreak.org
On behalf of the State of New Jersey, I am honored to present you with an American Flag flown over the World Trade Center site. Please accept this gift as a token of our appreciation for the service you have provided to our state and its residents in the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy.
“Overwhelmed with appreciation. Thank you to everyone who made our 4th Annual Gala such a huge success. We are grateful for your presence and support!”
Mission Driven
•
Here to Serve
•
Three Decades
-Gwendolyn O. Love, Executive Director
Lunch Break hosted its annual fall gala, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, celebrating its 30th Anniversary of service to the community on Monday, October 21st at the Navesink Country Club in Middletown. Over 400 people attended the sold out event, raising much-needed funds for those in need throughout Monmouth County. It was a wonderful evening, featuring a spirited dinner reception, live and silent auctions, entertainment by the Pat Karwan Trio, and Master of Ceremony Steve Trevelise from New Jersey 101.5 Radio. Most importantly, several people and organizations that have been steadfastly committed to the mission of Lunch Break were honored. The esteemed Norma K. Todd Award was given to Myron and Judi Kaller, the Heart to Hand Award went to Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, the Beacon of Service Award was given to the Rotary Club of Red Bank, and the Future Charitable Leaders Award went to the youth of Ranney School. Lunch Break is honored and so appreciative to have them as part of our family. The Gala could not have been a success without the support of its devoted sponsors. Lunch Break would like to thank its Platinum Sponsor, Sferra Linen; Gold Sponsor, Morgan Stanley, represented by Mark Brahney and Christopher Shaw, Bronze Sponsor, the Komar Family, and Commemorative Sponsors, Bernadette Barnett Heritage House Sothebyʼs, International Realty, Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, OceanFirst Bank and OceanFirst Foundation, PHJ Architecture, Plymouth Rock Assurance, Ranney School, and TechXtend. Additionally, heartfelt thanks go to special contributors Sawtooth, Fringe Marketing, John Caruso, and Silver Tulip Florist. Lunch Break is so grateful for the support of each of these businesses and individuals. Lunch Break would also like to take this opportunity to thank all who attended the event and celebrated this special 30th Anniversary, as well as all those who supported the Gala in any way. The funds raised are critical for Lunch Break, which provided close to 70,000 hot, nutritious meals this year alone. We could not provide these nece necessaryy services without your help. THANK YOU!
“Most people are one paycheck away from needing help, it’s a slippery slope,” Love said. “Sometimes it happens overnight. 85 percent of the people we help have jobs and are working people.”
Thanksgiving: We served over 380 meals on Thanksgiving day, including 135 meals that were delivered to the homebound.
We feed the body and nourish the soul. Eating alone is a reality for many, especia lly the elderly and those living on a fixed income . Lunch Break provide s not only a daily, hot nutritio us meal, but much needed fellowsh ip for so many.
www.lunchbreak.org
Did You Know… HABcore Birthed at Lunch Break In 1988, several Lunch Break volunteers conducted a survey and found that a large percentage of the people they were feeding were living in substandard housing. These volunteers initiated a new organization whose purpose was to provide affordable housing in the same geographic area. Lunch Break supported the new effort with a grant and loan, and in September 1988, HABcore, Inc. was incorporated. The “HAB” in HABcore was derived from the first initials of the last names of three homeless men, Bucky H., Charles A., Slim B., who all died in the streets of Red Bank during the 1980s. reʼs gala celebrating its 25 years of service. This year, Lunch Break was the proud recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award at HABcoreʼs Decision
Today to Create a Better
Tomorrow Feed the Future Create a Legacy Create a better tomorrow by including Lunch Break in your will today.
When you make a planned gift to Lunch Break, you make a difference in the lives of the unemployed, underemployed, veterans, single parents, working families, disabled, children, and seniors struggling to get by. In addition, you may receive a number of financial benefits, including significant tax reduction, n, and the chance for your contribution to go further. For more information on how you can leave a legacy, cy, visit www.lunchbreak.org
“It’s all about economics,” Love said. “Some people lost their job, now they’re going back to work but the jobs aren’t paying what they were. For some, their insurance was dropped, then they get a catastrophic illness, and suddenly, they need help.”
KID’S TABLE
JUNIOR Prom
In August, Lunch Break held a prom day for the Red Bank Boys and Girls Club. There were a lot of fancy dresses and suits and a lot of dancing. Everyone looked beautiful and enjoyed the event.
Lunch Break hosts a variety of childrenʼs events throughout the year. Such events include the Kidʼs Cooking Class, the Boys and Girls Club Dinner and a classic movie, Adopt-A-Family holiday toy program, and a Back to School Back Pack program.
Kidʼs Cooking classes are held every Wednesday from 4:30 - 6:30 pm over 3 months (3-4 times a year). Students learn basic cooking recipes and kitchen safety information and even help prepare the next dayʼs meals to be served at Lunch Break.
All graduates participate in a graduation ceremony to recognize their outstanding achievements. If youʼd like to register a child for the course, call Sharda Jetwani today for more information. 732-747-8577.
Graduates from the Lunch Break Kidʼs Cooking Class send a big THANK YOU to Guy Fieriʼs Cooking with Kids Foundation, The John Ben Snow Trust and the Galesi Family Foundation for their support and sponsorship. If you or someone you know needs assistance please contact Lunch Break at 732-747-8577. There is never a fee for the services we provide.
LUNCH BREAK - 30 YEARS SERVIN TIMELINE STARTS HERE JUNE
Construction begins (current) building at James Parker Boulev
1983
1985
1986
MARCH
NOVEMBER
Lunch Break is born. Originally started in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Red Bank.
Lunch Break begins in new facility with Thanksgiving meal.
JULY
Mrs. Todd is hired as Executive Director.
2013
2012
2011
2010
JANUARY
JULY
JUNE
APRIL
Since 2008, demand from the Lunch Break pantry increases by 657%.
Community Gardener’s Market is established at Lunch Break.
Donation of properties adjacent to Lunch Break facility.
Local churches and volunteers begin to host Saturday morning hot breakfast.
OCTOBER
Lunch Break wins approval from Red Bank Zoning Board for expansion.
Tower Hill Presbyterian Church donates new walk-in freezer.
MAY
Lunch Break celebrates 30th Anniversary.
Mickey Ross
Winner of Volunteer of the Quarter Award In 2013 Lunch Break established a quarterly award given to the volunteer whose efforts are found to be “above and beyond the call of duty.” The winner of the award is chosen by the votes of other volunteers. We are so pleased to announce that our first winner of the Volunteer Award is Mickey Ross.
Just look at that smile! ! Congratulations Mickey
Mickey considers her work at Lunch Break a chance to give back and to know that she is making a difference is someoneʼs life. As she said, “I may not have as much as others, but I have more than some, and that motivates me.” Mickey added, “Lunch Break is always in need of donations to keep the mission going, and donors make it possible to provide the community with services which are so desperately needed.” As Mickey says, “Making someone smile can change the world,” and she should know. www.lunchbreak.org
ING THE COMMUNITY 1983-2013 A group of volunteering women asked Rev. Rosheuvel if they could donate clothing. The distribution of clothing began then but it wasn’t yet named the Clothing Closet. SEPTEMBER
Lunch Break spin-off HABcore, Inc. begins to address challenges with affordable housing in the Red Bank area.
egins on new ng at 121 Drs. Boulevard.
egins serving with meal.
1987
1988
1990
JUNE
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Lunch Break Clothing Closet in operation.
Loaves and Fishes published.
First year of Adopt-A-Family for the holidays.
2009
2008
2004
1992
OCTOBER
APRIL
MARCH
First Gala.
Mrs. Todd passes away.
First Norma Todd Day.
Children’s cooking classes begin.
OCTOBER
JULY
St. Leo’s begins supplying bag lunches on Saturdays.
Gwen Love is hired as Executive Director.
Cooking basics and the fun of preparing healthy meals.
nforeseen Love said u es are a catastrophi on many major reas of Lunch ents Break’s cli nce. seek assista
World Changers: Lunch Break prepared and deliver lunches in July to the World Cha ed 3,500 bag ngers relief workers who helped to rebuild houses affe cted by Sandy.
Ladies from Lunch Brea kʼs Suited for Success Program to ok Shea shopping fo r employm ent attire a Boscovʼs. T t hanks and the sta to Glen Goldbaum ff at his sa lo was given a makeove n, Shea r. Says Sh “This prog ea, ram gave m e my dignit back. It fe y lt rea proper cloth lly good to have the ing. Comin g from my backgroun d, being to ld I looked was a nove nice l experienc e.”
If you or someone you know needs assistance please contact Lunch Break at 732-747-8577. There is never a fee for the services we provide. provid ide
W hy We Give to Lunch Break By Wendy and Jerry Marks, Esq.
Weʼve been involved with Lunch Break for more than seven years. In those years weʼve come to realize that Lunch Break is not just a soup kitchen and food pantry, but a community resource in many ways. We give to Lunch Break because giving locally takes care of those of our neighbors who are silently suffering in the very towns in which we
live. Lunch Break helps those who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own to remain productive members of our community It is very much like a parent who helps a young child learn to ride a bicycle—it stops them from falling and injuring themselves. The Lunch Break program is more than food. It maintains a personʼs dignity and lets them know their situation is not hopeless.
Lunch Break Donors Wendy and Jerr y Marks, Esq.
LUNCH BREAK’S BIGGEST LITTLE DONOR Our daughter, Lucie, has always had an entrepreneurial mindset. She loves coming up with big ideas and solving problems. Our son, Declan, is the laborer. He happily does as asked, and always with a smile and a song. As we rolled into summer I informed the family about Lunch Breakʼs first annual softball tournament. Lucie immediately found the opportunity for which she had been looking and declared that she “had a great idea” – she would sell lemonade at the softball game with money raised going to Lunch Break. She planned the drink menu, shopped for supplies with my wife and we made a sign for the table. On the big day, her little lemonade stand attracted a steady stream of visitors. At the end of the event, she proudly presented the $37.00 raised to Executive Director Gwendolyn Love and posed for pictures with the winning team.
-Chris & Pam Brett
Lunch Break’s Biggest Little Donor, Lucie Brett and her brother Declan raised $37.00 from her lemonade stand at Lunch Break’s first annual softball game.
Feed The Need: KAREN KELLY OF OCEANPORT says the best thing she did was to become a monthly donor for Lunch Break: “I became a monthly donor for Lunch Break because I have a lot of blessings and I am grateful for that and wanted to give back. I was also impressed when after I made my first donation, I received a warm, appreciative and timely thank you letter. I know giving monthly allows Lunch Break to plan ahead - to buy food and provide nutritious meals for my neighbors. I include my donation in my budget every month - itʼs automatic and I donʼt have to worry about it as itʼs in my budget. I encourage others to do the same - Lunch Break makes it easy for donors like me to give automatic monthly donations through their credit or debit cards or bank account.” www.lunchbreak.org
Lunch Break We Every Tuesday morning rain,ekly Farmers Market: Market springs up at Lunch sleet or snow, a fresh Farmers produce, fruit and baked goo Break year round. Surplus fresh ds come from individuals, far local community gardens and mers, Farmers Market. Foodbank, the farmers at the Red Bank Tra Orchards, Sickles, Dearborn der Joe’s, Foodtown, Delicious Market and produce. It’s all free to our Acme also donate clients!!
CHEF’S CORNER Chef Tyrone cooks up wonderful lunches every day at Lunch Break. He offered to share some of his recipes so you can recreate his meals at home. Since Lunch Break celebrates 30 years of service to the community this year, he thought it fitting to include Lunch Break founder Norma Todd's famous Corn Fritter recipe. These can be served with his White Bean Chili, also included below! Thank you Chef Tyrone! Norma Todd's Corn Fritters
The one and only Chef Tyrone
INGREDIENTS: 2 cups fresh or canned corn kernels 1 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. sugar 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper 1 egg 1 tsp. melted butter/ margarine 1/2 cup milk 3 cups all purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly but lightly, as you do not want to destroy the rising properties of the baking powder. Using a tablespoonful, drop mixture into approximately 2 cups of vegetable or soy bean oil heated to between 360 and 370 degrees. The use of a deep fryer is ideal. Fry each fritter for 2 or 3 minutes, until golden brown. Use a slotted scoop or spoon to retrieve fritters and drain on paper towels before serving.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Dip warm fritter in honey before eating.
WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILI DIRECTIONS: Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Ready In: 35 Minutes Servings: 8-10
1.) Heat oil, and cook onion and garlic until soft.
INGREDIENTS: 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil 1 Onion, chopped 2 Cloves garlic, minced 1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth 1 (18.75 oz.) can tomatillos, drained 1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes 1 (7 oz.) can diced green chilies
1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. ground coriander 1/4 tsp. ground cumin 2 ears fresh corn 1 lb. diced, cooked chicken meat 1 (15 oz). can white beans 1 pinch of salt and black pepper to taste
2.) Stir in broth, tomatillos, tomatoes, chilies, and spices. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. 3.) Add corn, chicken, and beans, simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
If you or someone you know needs assistance please contact Lunch Break at 732-747-8577. There is never a fee for the services we provide.
121 Drs. James Parker Blvd P.O. Box 221 Red Bank, NJ 07701
Non Profit Rate Mail U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 108 Red Bank, NJ 07701
Website: www.lunchbreak.org Email: info@lunchbreak.org Telephone: 732-747-8577 Fax: 732-212-8322 Like us on Follow us on
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We’re so much more than a meal...
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A Letter from My Heart to Every Lunch Break Donor! Dear Donor, To people who are thinking about donating to Lunch Break or deciding where to give their end-of-year donations, you cannot find a more worthy cause than giving to an organization that feeds people who do not have the resources to buy enough food to feed themselves or their families. I should know. With a career beginning in the 1960s that spanned good jobs in the Federal Government, an ivy league university, and corporate America, I felt I had the qualifications and experience for a successful life and hope for a secure retirement. Without warning, that changed. “Globalization,” corporate “down-sizing,” and “out-sourcing” killed that hope. After my first layoff I did eventually find work, but that didnʼt last. When my retirement savings and extended unemployment benefits were exhausted, I faced early Social Security with a significant reduction in monthly payments—too low to live on in my senior years considering the cost of rent, food, fuel, and healthcare premiums.
LUNCH BREAKING NEWS:
I checked into state and Federal programs for help, but fell through the cracks. I was without enough income to cover all basic living expenses, but with too much income to qualify for SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, and energy assistance. So, it became a choice—pay utility bills and buy groceries, or, while dealing with health problems, pay health insurance premiums and buy groceries. So, in 2012 my church suggested turning to Lunch Break for help. I didnʼt go. And, with help from a one-time state energy assistance program and my church, I wiggled my way out of that tight spot. No soup kitchen for me! But in 2013, because of unforeseen expenses, I found my predicament worsening. So, in August of 2013, I walked through the doors of Lunch Break. Itʼs an amazing place—good food, friendly and helpful staff and volunteers, and fellowship. That social interaction is emotionally healthy for people who live alone. So, Lunch Break makes it possible for me to eat a balanced hot meal every day, and to know that Iʼm not alone. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for all you do! Jane Williams
• In Monmouth County alone 61,921 people are food insecure, meaning they donʼt know where their next meal is coming from. • The average cost of a meal at Lunch Break is $2.84. TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN OUR STATE STRUGGLE In a recent study released by the Legal Services of New Jersey Poverty Research Institute it concluded that over two million people in New Jersey struggle to meet their basic needs. This represents a significant increase of over 300,000 since the beginning of the economic recession. Nationally, the poverty line is defined at about $23,000 for a family of four. The study put the threshold at double that number because New Jerseyʼs cost of living is dramatically higher than the national average. The worse part: the study showed that children suffer the most.
Now’s the Time...End of Year Giving! Give LOCAL! Food donations are important, but funds go so much further. Every year a significant portion of our operating budget goes toward the purchase of food, which leaves our shelves faster than it comes in. This year in particular, the demand exceeds the supply. Funds allow us to purchase food and plan meals weeks in advance.