Members of the Newton Rotary Club have spent the last few months gathering essential supplies for homeless children, teens, and adults. In November, club members packed 24 backpacks for children and teens and 24 rolling duffel bags for adults with a variety of toiletries, reusable utensils, and non-perishable food.  A caravan of vehicles brought the bags to Project Self-Sufficiency for distribution to those in need.

Rotary member Denise Current spearheaded the project.  “I like to get involved in different things,” explained Current who offered her spacious barn for a Farm-to-Table fundraiser earlier in the year.  Proceeds from the event were matched by a grant from Rotary International and the funds were used to purchase toiletries, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and body wash, along with pie pans, plastic utensils, can openers, and canned goods.  Bags for adults also contained a $25 Shop Rite gift card.  Bags for children and teens contained items tailored to their needs, including Wal Mart gift cards.

“We did a lot of work to get this together and we wanted to give the bags to people who truly need them,” added Current, who is also a member of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Leadership Council and a longtime volunteer at the agency.  “The most powerful part about this project was walking into Project Self-Sufficiency today, seeing the food pantry, and being educated about the needs of the clients they serve.  We were glad to do something to help.”

“Friends like Denise Current and the members of the Newton Rotary make this community an extraordinary place,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “Project Self-Sufficiency’s Connecting NJ is the central intake for Sussex and Warren County residents seeking assistance for emergency needs, like food, shelter, utility bills, and healthcare and legal issues. Being able to receive essential supplies in bags which are packed with such obvious care for the recipient will allow people in crisis to take that first step forward with dignity.”