Wallkill High is now home of charitable 'champions'
NEWTON All 10 area high schools participated for the third year in a row in the Champions for Charity fight against hunger food drive campaign. The Sussex County Charter School and Hardyston Middle School joined the effort this year. A grand total of 50,524 pounds of food was raised by students and faculty, during the 2011-2012 school year, to feed Sussex County residents in need.
County Clerk Jeff Parrott started the Champions for Charity initiative during the 2009-2010 school year. It was designed to meet the ever rising need to feed the hungry and compensate for the diminished amount of donations coming into the food pantry. This effort has raised more than 200,000 pounds of food since its inception in 2009.
Champions for Charity received the top honors Chairmans Award during the Sussex County Chamber of Commerces 26th Annual Quality in Living Awards ceremony on March 31, 2011. The initiative was recognized once again in 2011 with a joint resolution from the Senate and Assembly on June 27, 2011 in the Senate Chambers. Champions for Charity was recognized this year during the Chambers of Commerces 27th Annual Quality in Living Awards ceremony on March 29, in which the Sussex County Food Pantry and Ronetco ShopRite Partners in Caring received the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce Business Partnership Award.
Growing and changing Champions for Charity has evolved into an annual event, which not only continues to feed countless residents throughout the county, but it also educates and raises awareness among youth and adults alike as many become aware of the suffering and need within their own community. Students and faculty host an array of creative activities every year to raise donations: competitions between classes and departments, accepting donations of food in lieu of money for entry to sporting events, homework passes in exchange for donations all are done in a spirit of fun while participants actively make their contributions.
According to Parrott, it is anticipated that each year as seniors graduate they will go out into the world with an awareness of the issues that surround them every day and that they will be empowered to create a solution to these issues, which will make a difference in their life and the lives around them.
Winners This year Wallkill Valley Regional High School has taken the lead by collecting 8,650 pounds of food.
Sparta High School had led the friendly competition for two years in a row by collecting the most food.
The victors trophy now passes from Sparta to Wallkill, and Wallkills name will be etched under the 2011-2012 school year on the Champions plaque, which is displayed in the Sussex County Administrative Center.
Donations welcome, food available
Food collections are spread among the area high schools throughout the course of the school year.
Items frequently needed for the food pantry include cereal, peanut butter, jelly, meals in a can, hearty soup, tuna or other proteins in a can, macaroni and cheese and baby food or formula. Personal items such as soap, toiletries and personal hygiene products are always needed. Also welcome are cash donations through which perishable food goods or vouchers are purchased as needed.
If anyone is in need of food for themselves, their family or their pets, they can stop by the Division of Social Services, 83 Spring St., Suite 203, Newton, on Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Contact the Division at 973-383-3600. No appointments are necessary.