Cresskill -- 'Tis the season to be jolly. This holiday season is quickly approaching and officials in Cresskill want to lend a hand to the less fortunate.
Cresskill has a reputation as an extremely affluent Borough.
Cresskill Councilwoman Kathy Savas shed light on a different fact, however. "There is a great need for this in the community," said Savas. "Cresskill’s food bank has seen a decrease in donated food from its suppliers in Hillside due to the increased demands elsewhere. The Goodwill Fund has dwindled down to almost nothing, as the number of residents in need has increased to numbers we haven't seen before. In this rough economy, people need our help and we want to be sure we are doing everything we can to help the residents of our town weather these difficult times," said Savas.
As a result, Mayor Benedict Romeo, the council and the Board of Education are co-sponsoring a Food Bank Drive in Cresskill Dec. 1-6. Right now the shelves are bare and the approximately 30 Cresskill residents who frequent the bank haven't received provisions. The drive is an effort to help fill these depleted reserves.
Cresskill residents are asked to bequeath any amount of non-perishables they can manage. The donations can be brought to Cresskill Borough Hall, the Senior Center or any of the three local schools. Residents can bring the goods at any time during that week. If residents are unable to drop off the food, the Borough will have volunteers and the Fire Department picking up donations left on the curb by 9 a.m. Dec. 6.
Romeo is asking citizens to come together. "The Borough of Cresskill has always been a caring town that always seems to come to the aid of their neighbors in time of need…It would be prudent to begin to take matters into our own hands," he said.
Tax deductible cash donations to the Cresskill Goodwill Fund are also welcome. Checks can be dropped off or sent to Borough Hall.
The food bank is open year round. The contact person is Public Assistance Director Carolyn Schultz, at 201-568-8109. "We must remember there are people in need in your own backyard," said Schultz.
The Cresskill food bank is located on Union Avenue between the post office and Kings.
Email: donofrio@northjersey.com or call 201-894-6705
