Principal Thanked For Delivering Food To Families

Principal Dennis Holzapfel was thanked for his service during a recent Borough Council meeting. (Photo courtesy Joseph Kostecki)

  SOUTH TOMS RIVER – Being a principal means you look out for the families in your district, even when you’re outside of the building.

  South Toms River Elementary Principal Dennis Holzapfel was invited to a Borough Council meeting, but he didn’t realize he was going to be the guest of honor.

  Since the start of the pandemic, Holzapfel has been driving around town delivering food to families in need. Every Friday, he loads up his van with 30 boxes of food. Then, he takes another run with another 30 boxes. He drives his own van and fuels up at the borough’s pumps, South Toms River Business Administrator Joseph Kostecki said.

  Therefore, in a ceremony during the meeting, he was thanked for his service. More than 100 people showed up to the event, held outside due to the pandemic. Superintendent David Healy was in attendance, as well as Anna Polozzo, South Toms River’s representative on the Board of Education. Many teachers from the school came out, as did the elected officials from the 9th and 10th Legislative Districts.

  “It was an amazing show of support,” Kostecki said.

  The borough of South Toms River were looking for any car dealerships or residents who would be willing to donate an unneeded van or Jeep to help the principal deliver food.