Food Drive Spreads The Joy Of Sharing

Boy Scout Troop 83 donated many bags for the event. (Photo courtesy Robyn Griffith)

  BERKELEY – There was a lot of joy in the air – and in the airwaves – as a huge amount of food and money was collected for people less fortunate.

  Local radio stations WJRZ and WRAT have an annual Share the Joy drive which collected food, pet supplies and more.

  Matt Knight, from WJRZ, said the radio station has been running this donation drive for about 20 years. The donations go to Fulfill, Jersey Shore Animal Shelter, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey.

  They broadcasted from a temporary stage set up in the parking lot of the ShopRite on Fischer Boulevard in Toms River. To the side of the stage was a 50-foot truck Pepsi lent them to fill. Normally, Knight said, he’d be able to see people from the DJ booth. But this year, there were so many donations, it was like a wall of food.

  One of the bigger donors was Robyn Griffith of Beachwood who has been collecting items from good Samaritans. Every year for ten years, her home fills up with donations.

Helpers moved and sorted boxes of donations in the parking lot of ShopRite of Fischer Boulevard. (Photo by Chris Lundy)

  This year has been the best collection, which is surprising because of how people are still hurting from COVID-19. She brought a U-Haul truck. Everything inside used to be in her house. She checked all the expiration dates and had everything labeled so that volunteers can sort it easily.

  People also reached out to her for help. They were looking for food and services, and she was able to direct them to the groups that can help.

  After seeing ads for it in this newspaper, one person gave $500 and another gave $1,000, she said. People drove up with trunks full of food.

  Crossroads Realty gave a check for $2,000. The Bayville and Lacey Elks, Girl Scout troops and more made donations.

  Boy Scout Troop 83 donated tons of bags of items as well. She said this is the fourth year that they have partnered with the scouts and this is the best year yet. “The boys did an outstanding job and the parents should be proud of raising such caring kids,” she said.

Helpers moved and sorted boxes of donations in the parking lot of ShopRite of Fischer Boulevard. (Photo by Chris Lundy)

  She also took advantage of Beachwood’s Zone Wars. There are four zones in Beachwood which determine when your trash and recycling pick-ups are. Some friendly banter online turned into a fundraising softball game, kayak race, and even more friendly banter. So, she challenged the zones to see who could donate the most items.

  And it wasn’t over. ShopRite staff brought out several palettes of food and pet supplies for them.

  Every time another huge donation came in, Knight just shook his head in surprise and the outpouring of generosity.

  Or, as a few people noted while watching the donations pile up, “We’re going to need a bigger boat.”

Volunteers and staff posed in front of the U-Haul Robyn Griffith filled with food. (Photo by Chris Lundy)

  Griffith said she is still collecting donations for a Christmas drive. Items can be dropped off at 222 Anchor Avenue in Beachwood. Please make sure food is not expired when you donate it.