Boy Scouts' drive to aid food pantry
BY TOYNETT HALL
Staff Writer

HOWELL - The spirit of giving doesn't just occur during the winter holiday season. Some people show it throughout the year.

Count the members of Boy Scout Troop 258 among them as they have chosen to respond to a need in the community with a food drive scheduled for June 16.

According to information provided by Troop 258 food drive coordinator Choong Yim, the troop members decided this was something they want to do and they are looking to the community to help them. The Boy Scouts dropped off bags in their neighborhoods on June 9 and will return on June 16 between 10 a.m. and noon to collect the bags that have been left outside. The food will be taken to the Howell Food Pantry where the boys will sort the food and help stock the pantry's shelves.

"We are hoping to exceed the 800 pounds of food we collected last December and meet our goal of 850 to 900 pounds of food," Yim said.

Eileen Lukenda, president of the food pantry, said, "When summer comes we lose donations from the schools, but the need for food increases. Everyone always thinks of us during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season and often forgets us during the summer."

The food pantry has been feeding Howell families since 1982. The food pantry currently serves about 100 families.

According to Lukenda, the pantry gives out a five-day supply of food once a month on the last Monday from 4-7 p.m. The food pantry is run by 10 regular volunteers and serves residents of Howell and Farmingdale.

Lukenda, who has served as president of the pantry for seven years, said, "We hope we can continue to rely on the generosity of the community. We always welcome more families and we have never turned a family away. Hopefully, that will continue."

Donations may be made directly to the food pantry at 450 Adelphia Road (Route 524). The food pantry may be reached at (732) 938-2368.