Township Democrat Council Candidates Aid Local Food Pantries

By The Jefferson Chronicle - May 15, 2020

Moved by the need arising from the current Novel Coronavirus pandemic, Jefferson Township Democrats assisted by helping to supply the community’s local pantries.

To launch the effort, Christine Clarke, Jefferson Township Democratic Committee chair, set up a Food Pantry Friends Go-Fund-Me site. The fundraising then became an effort by the three Democratic candidates running for seats on the local municipal council, Pamela Fadden, Keith Peters, and Maria Short.

With well over $1,000 raised, the four set out on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend and delivered dozens of bags of groceries and supplies at two of the three local pantries: New Hope Food Pantry, operated by Milton United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, and the food pantry at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Lake Hopatcong.

“We will soon be delivering groceries to the Hurdtown United Methodist Church in Lake Hopatcong as well,” Clarke said, adding that “the reception so far was wonderful.”

Clad in face masks, it was one of the three candidates first forays out and about in the township. They shopped at both the Acme supermarket in Oak Ridge and at ShopRite in Succasunna. All three expressed enthusiasm about the effort.

“We’re in this pandemic together. We have to help in whatever way we are able,” Fadden said.

“Yes, we are a community, and everyone is our neighbor,” Peters added.

“It’s all about neighbor helping neighbor,” Short noted, adding, “It’s what we do in Jefferson Township.”

Fadden, Peters, and Short announced their candidacy earlier this spring. Longtime residents, they are running for three open seats on the township’s municipal council.

Clarke said about $1,000 of fund-raising effort had been spent and noted that the Go-Fund-Me site was still active. Donors can visit www.gofundme.com/f/food-pantry-friends to make a contribution to the ongoing effort. “Together we can accomplish amazing things!” she said.