'Make a Difference' With Pantry Donation

Officials proclaimed this upcoming Saturday as “Make a Difference Day,” a day that will be celebrated in Middletown with the culmination of a food and supply drive for the township’s pantry.

Donations of food and cleaning supplies will be collected through Friday, Oct. 25, at various locations throughout the township. Then on Saturday, Oct. 26, the donations will be added to the Middletown Household Pantry’s stock.

“We encourage the community to support the meaning of this day and help a neighbor by contributing to the household pantry,” states a proclamation read aloud by Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger at the Township Committee meeting this week.

Social Services Director Barbara Miceli accepted the proclamation on behalf of the department, which manages the pantry in conjunction with Middletown Helps Its Own. Scharfenberger offered praise for the director, who recently helped an ailing local World War II veteran in his final days.

“I really felt good after he passed that I knew Barbara helped him in his last few weeks,” he said. “That’s just one instance of dozens and dozens.”

Residents are encouraged to make a pantry donation this week. A complete listing of drop-off locations—township departments and private businesses are participating—is available here through Middletown’s website.

An estimated 3 million Americans are expected to take part in Make a Difference Day, which is sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine and Points of Light.