In preparation for Feed February 2021, PRAB began working early on collecting food donations for Elijah’s Promise, one of New Brunswick’s largest soup kitchens. Founded in 1989, the soup kitchen has grown from an organization of only 100 volunteers serving 35,000 meals a year to a multi-service organization of more than 3,000 volunteers serving over 170,000 meals annually.
Bryan Matthew, PRAB’s VISTA Community Partnerships & Volunteers Coordinator, collaborated with Rutgers student organizations to gather food donations for Elijah’s Promise. They include Rutgers Collegiate 100; Rutgers La Unidad Latina Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Inc., Iota Chapter; Rutgers Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity Inc., Beta Chapter; and MASA (Mexican American Student Association). Together, we donated over 70 food items to Elijah’s Promise before the holidays.
“I found out Elijah’s Promise needed support through their website and since Elijah’s Promise did so much for the New Brunswick community, especially during this pandemic, I wanted to help and reached out to Rutgers student organizations who were willing to help out,” said Mr. Matthew.
Although, many students were not available in person due to campus being limited, a few students donated money with specific food item names for PRAB to purchase and deliver to the soup kitchen on their behalf.
February is a month that celebrates many national food days, such as National Homemade Soup Day (2/4), National Oatmeal Day (2/10) and even National Chili Day (2/27). Food donations are critical to food pantries and soup kitchens, and your donation to these organizations will help them feed individuals and families in need.
To participate visit PRAB’s donation page, contact us or visit Elijah’s Promise home page. Let’s start 2021 on the right foot. Let’s make a difference and help us equip our community.