The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 7 - No. 44
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Food Banks Facing Challenges During Pandemic
Community News! Pages 8-9
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Pages 12
Inside The Law Page 15
−Photos courtesy Lacey Food Bank Volunteers of the Lacey Food Bank prepare for distribution of items. Clients currently use a drive-up system where they pop their trunks and volunteers load their car with basic pantry groceries, eggs, butter, cheese and some proteins. By Bob Vosseller NEW JERSEY – As the COVID-19 pandemic conditions continue, it is becoming more and more difficult for those who aid people with food insecurity to meet their goal. Fulfill, formerly The FoodBa n k of Mon mout h a nd Ocean Counties has keenly felt the need. A spokesperson for the agency said, “We have seen a significant increase in the demand for food, about
40% higher. In fact, in the past month, we have served 364,000 plus additional meals over last year.” These meals are on top of what Fulfill volunteers “were already serving as a direct result of schools and businesses being closed and people losing their jobs,” said Fulfill CEO and President Kim Guadagno, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey. (Food Banks - See Page 6)
Barnegat Adopts $27.9M Budget
By Chris Lundy BARNEGAT – The Township Committee adopted a $27 million budget at its most recent meeting, and it includes an average tax increase of about $24. The total budget is $27,905,152. This is an increase of $1,311,791 over last year’s $26,593,361. The amount to be raised in taxes will be $22,857,004. This is an increase of $865,282 from last year’s $21,991,721. The difference between the total budget and the amount to be raised in taxes has to do with revenue. The amount to be raised in taxes includes all of the taxes paid by property owners in town. The total budget includes the
BREAKING NEWS @
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April 25, 2020
(Budget - See Page 7)
Students Sew Masks For Those In Need Many of families utilizing the Lacey Food Bank have children and pets, and volunteers also have stations utilizing shopping carts from Shoprite for sanitary/cleaning needs, pet food and extra child friendly food and snacks.
Schools Closed Until At Least May 15
By Chris Lundy TRENTON – During one of Gov. Phil Murphy’s daily updates on COVID-19, he said schools will be closed through at least May 15. With districts getting out of school for summer only one month later, it lent credibility to the thought that schools may be closed for the rest of the year. Many local schools have the last week
of school June 15-19, with Toms River getting out a week early because they gave up spring break. Ocean County College had already closed for the rest of the semester. “Let me be perfectly clear: There is nobody who wants to open the schools more than I do,” Murphy said. However, officials have to follow the advice of medical professionals who have said that it is not yet safe to open them.
Meanwhile, it is expected that businesses are to remain closed at least that long. The governor’s executive orders have canceled gatherings of more than 10 people, and shuttered non-essential businesses. The idea behind social distancing recommendations is to “flatten the curve.” This means to slow the spread of the virus so that hospitals don’t get overwhelmed.
−Photos courtesy Southern Regional Some of the masks that were made for donations. By Chris Lundy STAFFORD – Students in a clothing construction class are sewing masks for medical staff and other essential workers. (Masks - See Page 4)
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