While the pandemic has forced most people to stay inside home changing their daily routines, it has brought more difficulties for the homeless population. Some shelters and food pantries in NJ have to be temporarily closed due to concerns about the coronavirus. As a result, problems with lack of housing and foods are exacerbated. With winter weather coming when temperatures often drop below freezing at night, life has become even tougher for people without a home. Volunteers at Raritan Valley Branch decided to lend a warm hand to people in need. From November 18 through December 6, 2020, Raritan Valley branch hosted Winter Clothing Drive/Food Drive to help people fight hunger and stay warm. Considering the current situation with COVID-19, for health and safety reasons, this event was conducted in a non-traditional way. Instead of collecting donation items within the branch, volunteers dropped off foods and/or winter clothing items at a collection site near their homes, such as the town Recreation Office collection truck, Goodwill store, or local ShopRite store collection bin. Tonight, the lowest temperature is 25 degrees Fahrenheit. We are glad to know someone out there will be warmer with the foods and clothing we donated.
Volunteers: Benjamin Hong (11/23/20, 2 hrs), Xinning Lucy Liu (12/6/20, 2 hrs), Dalina Cao (11/30/20, 4 hrs), Alicia Xu (12/6/20, 2 hrs), Kyle Xu (12/6/20, 2 hrs), Alvin Zhang (12/4/20, 2 hrs), Emma Zhang (12/4/20, 2 hrs), Jessica Hong (11/23/20, 2 hrs)
