Photos: Sponsor a Wreath Benefit a Success

The seventh annual Sponsor A Wreath fundraiser to benefit the Washington Township Food Pantry was another major success, according to the program’s chairperson JoAnn Burg.

The program is the only yearly financial-only fundraiser for the food pantry and emergency fund, Burg said, providing assistance to more than 60 local families.

The wreaths, which can be sponsored for $20 each, help aid the emergency fund, which covers one time expenses such as rent, utility bills, heating oil, or other needs that are considered on an individual basis, Burg said.

The program relies mainly on donations for non-perishable foods and fresh items such as meat, cheese, fruit, and yogurt, which are shopped for weekly, Burg said. During lean donation times, the program also purchases coffee, cereals, and ready meals in bulk quantities to carry the pantry through.

Direct donation spots for sponsoring wreaths are at , , and the . Sponsorship may also be mailed to Sponsor a Wreath, c/o , 39 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853.

Burg said the community has consistently supported the effort, and thanks the Boy Scouts and Highlanders for Humanity for volunteering to assemble wreaths and to hang them on the fences.

The Long Valley Garden Club also took part in tying many of the 486 bows that adorn the wreaths, Burg said.