In addition to heightening awareness about food insecurity, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s Tournament of Roses Parade Charity Walk and Food Drive generated more than a ton of nonperishable food items and $1,000 in gift cards for Middlesex County children and their families.
All the donations, collected during the July 19 event at Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, will benefit REPLENISH, a regional food bank serving Middlesex County residents, including an estimated 30,000 children, and the Middlesex College Community Resource Hub and Food Pantry.
In honor of the 500 supporters who attended the charity walk and food drive, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is donating an additional $2,000 to the cause.
“The outpouring of support at the charity walk and generosity of participants was phenomenal,” said Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., whose legislative district encompasses seven Middlesex County towns and who serves on the foundation’s board of trustees. “The donations collected will make a huge impact on Middlesex County children and families in need.”
The event served as a community service project for more than 100 recently graduated Middlesex County high school football players and cheerleaders, who two days later took part in the Bellamy and Sons Paving Marisa Rose Bowl, an intra-county charity all-star football game benefiting The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
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In addition to the game participants who participated in the walk and volunteered to distribute roses and carry food donations, underclassmen and rising senior football players and cheerleaders from Edison, North Brunswick, Metuchen, East Brunswick, Woodbridge, South Plainfield and Saint Joseph high schools took part in the event.
The contingent, including coaches, accounted for more than 200 walk participants, all of whom Bell Pharmacy of Edison, Miller’s Rentals of Edison, Jersey Mike’s Sub Shop of Woodbridge and an anonymous benefactor sponsored.
Just as the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena occurs before college football’s Rose Bowl game on New Year’s Day, the Tournament of Roses Parade preceded the Marisa Rose Bowl, thus the title of the charity walk and food drive.
Prior to the walk, Marisa Rose Tufaro’s parents, Cyndi and Greg, asked participants to observe a moment of silence, using that time to clutch the long-stem rose in their hands while reflecting upon a loved one who passed or someone special in their life. Participants were respectfully requested to carry the spirit of that individual in their hearts during the parade.
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The Tournament of Roses Parade reflects Marisa Rose Tufaro’s first community service project, which as an elementary school student was to collect nonperishable food items for donation to a local food pantry.
Marisa Rose Tufaro, who would have graduated last year from Edison High School, survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa Rose was an honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.
Since its inception less than five years ago, the foundation established in Marisa Rose’s loving memory has donated a quarter of a million dollars to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
The nonprofit, which makes community service an integral part of its mission, has also spearheaded multiple initiatives, resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.
The foundation has also awarded $26,500 in college academic scholarships to 38 Middlesex County high school graduates and an additional 13 scholarships for Middlesex County middle school and elementary school students to attend a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
Last week’s charity walk, a mile-and-a-half stroll along the grounds of Saint Joseph’s scenic 70-acre campus, and accompanying food drive, which also generated donations of diapers, baby wipes, deodorant, soap and shampoo, was conducted at a critical time.
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“As we head into the summer months, an estimated 800,000 New Jerseyans are food insecure and food banks and pantries across the Garden State are struggling mightily to keep up with rising demand,” NJ101.5 reported last month.
Escalating fuel and food costs, coupled with rising inflation rates, have increased the number of state residents without reliable access to quality, affordable and nutritious food, an ongoing problem the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated.
“Lacking sufficient food presents many challenges for everyone, but the impacts on children are particularly devastating,” said Jennifer Apostol, director of REPLENISH. “Children who face hunger are more at risk for serious health conditions like anemia, asthma, diabetes, and obesity and are more likely to be hospitalized. Children dealing with food insecurity also face academic challenges. When a child is hungry, they have difficulty focusing on their classwork, and cannot retain the information and skills necessary to flourish.”
The parade route at last week’s charity walk and food drive was dotted with signs displaying messages about childhood hunger and food insecurity. Sporting purple shirts reflecting The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s official color and bearing the words “Marisa’s Missionaries helping children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area,” participants marched in a show of solidarity to bring attention to the cause.
“Children who suffer from food insecurity are set up for a difficult road ahead with many potential physical, mental, and educational challenges to overcome to become successful adults,” Apostol said.
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“Children who are hungry also suffer emotional and social consequences. The mere condition of constantly feeling hungry and lacking energy for physical activity is difficult. On top of that, children can pick up on the family’s financial stresses and that can take an emotional toll on a child. Feelings of hunger and worry for their family’s situation can cause anxiety and depression resulting in behavioral problems and difficulty engaging with peers.”
REPLENISH works with more than 150 food pantries, soup kitchens and social service organizations county-wide, while also supporting food pantries in preschools and public schools.
“School staff can easily recognize when a child may suffer from food insecurity and having a pantry or backpack program on site is the most efficient way to make sure the families’ food needs are being met,” Apostol said.
REPLENISH also partners with Middlesex College’s Community Resource Hub and Food Pantry, which serves its students, including those who are parents of children.
Nearly half of Middlesex College students receive need-based financial aid, more than a quarter of its full-time students come from households with incomes below $30,000, and many of its students work part or full time.
Studies have shown 50% of community college students struggle with food insecurity, Apostol said.
“Many community college students are nontraditional, meaning they are not starting right out of high school, not financially dependent on parents, may be in school part time while working and caring for dependents,” Apostol said. “As such, more and more students come from low-income households and have difficulty juggling their financial responsibilities while furthering their education.”
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Apostol said staff and administrators at Middlesex College recognized a need four years ago and created a food pantry.
“Over the years, the food pantry started providing more comprehensive support services covering a broader range of basic needs and changed their name to the Community Resource Hub to better reflect what they do,” Apostol said. “Providing food and access to other resources like childcare, housing, transportation, and healthcare has become an essential part of campus services to help ensure students have the best possible chance at a successful future.”
REPLENISH and all its partners, including the Middlesex College Community Resource Hub and Food Pantry, work within the community to raise awareness about food insecurity.
The collaborative effort secures donations to keep pantry shelves stocked and ensures residents and students in need know how and where to access food and resources.