EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – Middlesex County recently announced that it received and distributed a record-breaking amount of food to County residents in 2021, through Replenish.
Formerly known as Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services or MCFOODS, Replenish has a 5,000 square foot warehouse in East Brunswick.
Replenish distributed a total of 4,730,058 pounds of food including fresh produce, dairy, and meat products to over 150 partners, overtaking its previous year’s record of 4,378,792 pounds of food, according to the program’s yearly report.
In 2021, Replenish also provided additional food assistance to multiple towns in response to the Carteret apartment fire, Tropical Storm Henri, and Tropical Storm Ida. They also distributed non-food resources to residents in large quantities, including baby food, LED light bulbs, cleansing wipes, hygiene products, and books.
“We are so grateful to our community partners and our team at REPLENISH for adapting and persevering through the many challenges we all faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios. “While the pandemic forced us to completely rethink every aspect of our service model, we are proud that REPLENISH kept their doors open five days a week to not just distribute food to our partners but to provide crucial information related to COVID-19, housing, rent, childcare, mental health, and more.”
Rios went on to thank County residents for their “continued commitment” in working together to help alleviate hunger in the community.
“Keeping in line with their new brand identity and tagline, we are proud to see REPLENISH hit this major milestone,” said County Commissioner Claribel Azcona-Barber. “From holding their annual Turkey Distribution to providing food assistance to residents in need, REPLENISH makes a tremendous difference in the lives of so many in our community.
Replenish also launched an interactive Middlesex County Healthy Foods Map to help residents locate local healthy food through food pantries, farmers markets, grocery stores, as well as public transportation routes to help them get to the places. The map can be found here.
Replenish is partnering with the Board of County Commissioners and the Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools to host the 2022 Middlesex County Spring School Food Drive.
People can drop off donations at schools from March 21 through April 1. Monetary donations are also accepted in the form of a check payable to “Feeding Middlesex County.” Checks may be mailed to PO Box 781, Edison, NJ 08818, or donations can be made online via the REPLENISH website at www.feedingmiddlesexcounty.org.
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