On Friday, June 17 a team from Move For Hunger drove down the Garden State Parkway to Wildwood to attend the New Jersey Jeep Invasion where the organisation had held a food drive for each of the last four years.
The team included members of staff, volunteers (most of whom were joining for the second year), and the crew at Atlantic Coast Moving & Storage, all who collected donations throughout the two-day event.
Hundreds of Jeeps streamed onto the beach over the course of the weekend, and it seemed nearly all of them came loaded with boxes or bags filled to the brim with canned goods. Some sent a passenger to deliver the packages as they queued up for a parking space. Many trekked across the length of the beach in the late-June heat carrying multiple bags in each hand.
“When all was said and done, we had collected over 4,650 pounds of food – a new record for Move For Hunger at the NJ Jeep Invasion,” said Adam Lowy, the company’s founder. “That’s the equivalent of 3,875 meals to help the Community Food Bank of New Jersey – Southern Branch feed our South Jersey neighbours in need.”
Meanwhile, 3,000 miles away, the team at Gentle Giant Moving and Storage of Seattle spent their Saturday at the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon. The crew rescued over 9 tons of leftover food/beverages from the race and delivered them to the Rainier Valley Food Bank. On top of that, Gentle Giant's Kayla McCue competed in the half-marathon and raised over $350 for Team Move For Hunger.
“I've been doing this for over seven years now, but watching so many people from so many different backgrounds come together to support a common cause never gets old,” said Adam. “The collaborative spirit that was on display in both Wildwood and Seattle is what defines our program. No matter how you choose to get involved, you can make a real difference in the fight to end hunger and reduce food waste.”
Photo: The Move For Hunger staff, volunteers, and Atlantic Coast Moving & Storage at the 2016 New Jersey Jeep Invasion.