Church to open food pantry

JACKSON - A new food pantry will be opening at DeBows United Methodist Church on the corner of Route 571 and Route 537.

Aiming to serve the community, the pantry will open its doors on the second and fourth Mondays of every month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. beginning April 23.

"Jesus said, 'If the people are hungry, we should feed them,' " said Betty Gibbons, pastor.

Earlier this year, Gibbons said, a new member of the church suggested the idea of starting a food pantry. Gibbons said she is getting the word out to other churches in the community and plans to contact social services agencies in Ocean and Monmouth counties.

The DeBows United Methodist Church congregation will be involved in the work of the food pantry by staffing the pantry and by donating food.

Area residents who would like to contribute food are also welcome to do so, said the pastor.

"One example is St. Aloysius School," said Gibbons. "They have agreed to have a food drive for us after Easter."

For further information call (732) 928-4475.