Marisa Rose Bowl participants tackle hunger to help Middlesex County children and families

Marisa Rose Bowl participants will tackle hunger as part of a community service project leading up to the charity all-star football game.

The Tournament of Roses Parade Charity Walk and Food Drive at Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen on July 18 will benefit food insecure children and families throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

“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 week.

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, a regional food bank serving Middlesex County residents, including an estimated 30,000 children.

“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.”

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More than 120 players and cheerleaders from Middlesex County high schools will volunteer at the Tournament of Roses Parade Charity Walk and Food Drive, which The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is conducting.

The charity walk is a two-mile stroll along the grounds of Saint Joseph’s scenic 70-acre campus to heighten awareness about food insecurity.

The accompanying food drive is a collection of donations for REPLENISH and the Middlesex College Community Resource Hub & Food Pantry.

Please visit bit.ly/MarisaCharityWalk to register for the walk.

A $10 registration fee includes a free commemorative Tournament of Roses Parade T-shirt and beverages.

All participants are respectfully requested to bring at least one item for donation from the recommended list below:

Non-perishable food – Rice, tuna, peanut butter, canned vegetables and meats, beans, soup, and pasta.

Other items – Deodorant, soap, shampoo, diapers, baby wipes, gift cards to Target, Walmart, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, and Costco.

Sign-in and T-shirt pickup for the July 18 Tournament of Roses Parade will be conducted that day at Saint Joseph’s Brenner Family Field (football stadium) from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The charity walk will commence promptly at 4:45 p.m.

Rain date for the event is July 19.

All participants will be asked to wear their commemorative T-shirts during the walk as a show of solidarity.

Since its inception less than five years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation 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.

Noting food insecurity among children is of particular concern, Apostol said the Tournament of Roses Parade Charity Walk and Food Drive could not come at a better time.

“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.

“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 & 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 that 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.”

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 & Food Pantry, work within the community to raise awareness about food security, to secure donations to keep pantry shelves stocked and ensure residents and students in need know how and where to access food and resources.

The Tournament of Roses Parade Charity Walk and Food Drive is part of the festivities leading up to the Marisa Rose Bowl, which will be played as an intra-Middlesex County all-star game featuring Class of 2022 players and cheerleaders on July 21 at North Brunswick High School’s Steve Libro Field.

All proceeds from the game, which has raised $715,000 for charity since its inception in 1994, will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

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, she lived a vibrant life that inspired.

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.

Parade attendees are invited to remain on Saint Joseph school grounds after the walk to watch Marisa Rose Bowl football and cheerleading practice, which will start July 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets for the upcoming Marisa Rose Bowl will also be available for purchase that day.