‘Stuff the Bus’ and ‘Cram the Ram’ – Sussex County Readies to Feed its Residents in Need – Donations Being Accepted

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ – It is that time of year again when residents mobilize to help gather food for other residents in need, especially to ensure no one in the county is without food during the holiday season, and to refill the Sussex County Social Services Food Pantry with the “Stuff the Bus” and “Cram the Ram,” programs.

Last year, the effort yielded 25,000 pounds of food, to keep the pantry shelves stocked. According to the WSUS website, one of the major partners in the event, the Sussex County Social Services Food Pantry is “the emptiest it has been in years.” The goal it to exceed last year’s collection record of 25,000 pounds.

The Sussex County Social Services Food Pantry is located at 83 Spring Street in Newton, and is open to anyone in need of food (including for those who have pets). An appointment is not necessary for those who need to pick up something from the pantry, which is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The shelves in the Food Locker of the Division of Social Services, as well as other food pantries throughout the County, are often bare,” the Sussex County Social Services Food Pantry website reads.

“Staple” items are especially sought for families and individuals in need, such as milk, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, shelf stable milk, soup, macaroni and cheese, tuna, snack items, ramen noodles, spaghetti, pasta sauce, Ramen Noodles, canned fruit, apple sauce, canned vegetables, cereal, turkeys, and more. It is also one of the only pantries to stock pet foods, and welcomes donations such as canned and dry pet foods.

Cleaning items, like toilet paper and paper towels are other items needed, as well as personal care items – shampoo, diapers, wipes, soap, toothbrushes, and more, are always recommended.

In addition to food donations, cash donations to stock the pantry are sought.

Click here for a list of food pantries in Sussex County.

Residents in the area can easily find drop off locations to help within the county during this major food gathering effort, in convenient locations and days for all who would like to help.

Through today, all six First Hope Bank locations (Sparta, Hackettstown, Blairstown, Great Meadows, Andover Township, and Hope), accepted non-perishable items and cash for the pantry.

Tomorrow, Fri., Nov. 22, 103.7 WNNJ will be broadcasting live from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., for the first Stuff the Bus Event, from First Hope Bank on 161 Newton Sparta Road in Andover Township. For every donation dropped off, donors can spin the wheel to win a prize, and be in the running for Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and New Jersey Devils tickets. Borasio will be broadcasting from the start of the event, until noon, with Gary Cee taking over the helm from noon until 7 p.m.

On Sat., Nov. 23, is the “Cram the Ram” event, at Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with 103.7, again hosting a live broadcast. Fill a Dodge Ram with food (or make a cash donation), and when you donate, and test drive a Dodge Ram, you are eligible to receive two Mountain Creek Snow Tubing Tickets, $40 off of a Mountain Creek Season Pass, and an entry to win a weekend getaway to Mountain Creek Resort (which includes four ski lift tickets and four snow tubing tickets). Winner must be present at drawing at 5 p.m.  Those at the “Cram the Ram” fundraiser will be in the running as well for Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and NJ Devils Tickets.

“Stuff the Bus” returns to Andover Township, again, for a final round, this time on Mon., Nov. 25, and Tues., Nov. 26, and to Dale’s Market at 238 Newton Sparta Road (the other Dale’s Market locations in Branchville (396 Route 206) and Blairstown (66 Route 94), will also accept food donations. The live broadcast though, will take place at the Andover Township location only). From 6 a.m. until 10 a.m., Borasio from WNNJ and Steve Andrews from WSUS will broadcast on both days, with the second live broadcasts on both days as well with WNNJ’s Gary Cee and Steve Andrews from WSUS from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and NJ Devils Tickets will be up for grabs again.

“Stuff the Bus” is sponsored by 102.3 WSUS, 103.7 WNNJ, Max 106.3, First Hope Bank, Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, Dale’s Market, and State Shuttle.

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