The crew from Ladder One along with officers from the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association presented a check along with Officer Karen Mango, representing the Policemen’s Benevolent Association, to Cynthia Heidler Cumming from the Holy Trinity Food Pantry to help feed needy families during this Thanksgiving season. From left are WOFD Capt. Abdur Yasmin, firefighter Bruce D’Amato, WOPD Officer Karen Mango, food pantry administrator Cynthia Cumming, FMBA President Omar Guzman, firefighter Kevin Dean and FMBA Vice President Frank Noborine.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Police and Fire departments came through in a big way for the Holy Trinity-West Orange Food Pantry by donating 100 turkeys for Thanksgiving.
Pantry volunteer Chris Babinski, a dispatcher at the West Orange Police Department, contacted the West Orange PBA and the FMBA to ask for their help. The response was immediate and affirmative, according to a recent press release from the food pantry.
On Nov. 3, members of the WOPD PBA and WOFD FMBA met with Babinski and food pantry administrator Cynthia Cumming to present the checks for what will amount to 100 turkeys, or 50 turkeys apiece.
“We have had a very rough year for donations and food, and the generosity of police and fire guarantees that we will have turkeys for most of our current clients,” Cumming said in the release. “So far this year organizations that normally help us with Thanksgiving side items have not contacted us or are struggling themselves, and that puts a financial burden on us to try and purchase everything. Our funds are dwindling.”
During November, many people just show up at the food pantry looking for turkeys. Cumming explained they will take non-members’ information and contact them as additional turkeys from the West Orange community come in.
A West Orange resident and pantry supporter, Barry Geltzeiler, has helped the past few years by collecting turkeys around town. It has helped the pantry to provide turkeys to everyone that asked for one.
Last year the pantry distributed more than 200 turkeys to the needy in the community.
Trimmings and side items are also needed. These items include stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, canned vegetables, and cake and brownie mixes.
The food pantry is located at 315 Main St. next to Washington School; enter through the red door on the Franklin Avenue side of the building and go to Guild Hall on the left. The food pantry will be open in November on Nov. 15, 18, 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Nov. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. Donations may also be dropped off during Thrift Shop hours, Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please drop off donations as soon as possible.
For more information and ways to help, contact Cummign at heidlercumming@aol.com or 201-341-9217.
West Orange Police and Fire depts. provide 100 turkeys to food pantry for Thanksgiving added by Editor on
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