Feeding Middlesex County

WHAT DOES A HUNGER HERO LOOK LIKE?

Last night, we got to see. At Feeding Middlesex County’s annual Hunger Heroes Celebration, we honored individuals and organizations who are taking action against hunger in very different ways, but with a shared belief that everyone in our community should have access to healthy, nutritious food.

💚 Corporate Hunger Hero – Aetna CVS Health
💚 Community Hunger Hero – Margaret Simonovich, Plays in the Park Volunteer
💚 Government Hunger Hero – Mayor Jonathan Busch of Metuchen
💚 Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer – Alcides Gomez, Alliance Center for Independence

We also paid special tribute to Diane Hutchins of the Aldersgate Outreach Community Center, honoring a life and legacy of service to neighbors in need.

The evening was a fitting close to Hunger Action Month, but the need does not end with September. More than 106,000 people in Middlesex County, including more than 28,000 children, are facing food insecurity. An evening like this takes a community, too. Our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, whose generosity makes Hunger Heroes possible, and to Pines Manor for welcoming us and helping create such a special evening. And thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our honorees and support the work ahead.
Most of all, thank you to our 2026 Hunger Heroes and to all those across Middlesex County who show us every day that there are many ways to make a difference.

The celebration may be over. The action continues. Visit FeedingMiddlesexCounty.com to learn more.

Early Bird Pricing ends on Saturday (8/15) for tickets to Feeding Middlesex County + Replenish annual Hunger Heroes Cocktail Reception! Join us and our partners in combatting hunger in Middlesex County for an engaging evening of networking and recognizing our 2026 Hunger Heroes:

TICKETS: https://feedingmiddlesexcounty.org/hunger-heroes/

- Corporate Hunger Hero – Hiral Shukla, CVS Health Aetna
- Community Hunger Hero – Margaret Simonovich, Plays in the Park Volunteer
- Government Hunger Hero – Mayor Jonathan M. Busch
- Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer – Alcides Gomez, Alliance Center for Independence

Remarks by:
- Michael J. Wilson, Deputy Commissioner of Social Services, NJ Department of Human Services
- Dr. Jennifer Schrum, New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate

Tickets are $100 per person until 8/15 then ticket prices go up to $125. The cocktail reception with appetizers will be from 5:30 - 8 PM. The awards ceremony beginning at 7 PM. There will be an open bar and appetizers.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available:https://feedingmiddlesexcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Hunger-Hero-Award_2026-Sponsorships.pdf

Celebrate the individuals and businesses that are tackling food insecurity head-on in Middlesex County.

TICKETS: https://feedingmiddlesexcounty.org/hunger-heroes/

Join Feeding Middlesex County and Replenish, the County food bank, for an exciting evening where we celebrate the individuals and businesses who are tackling food insecurity head-on.

2026 Honorees:

*Corporate Hunger Hero: Aetna CVS Health
*Community Hunger Hero: Margarety Simonovich, Plays in the Park Volunteer
*Government Hunger Hero: Mayor Jonathan M. Busch
*Tom Ellison Food Pantry Volunteer: Alcides Gomez, Alliance Center for Independence

Remarks by:
*Deputy Commissioner Michael J. Wilson, NJ Department of Human Services
*Dr. Jennifer Schrum, New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate

Tickets are $100 (if purchased before August 15, 2026) and include heavy hors d'oeuvres and an open bar. Ticket prices increase by $25 if purchased after the above date. Ticket sales will be cut off on September 21, 2026.

We are so grateful for caring partners like who volunteer their time to raise money to allow us to support . When you donate money to feedingmiddlesexcounty.org, REPLENISH can buy foods that can’t be given on a food drive like dairy, meats, and produce at wholesale prices.

A huge thank you to Piscataway High School Ceramics & Sculpture Teacher, Mary Wartenburg, who once again organized the “Empty Cups” Fundraiser held today. Her efforts raised $1,906 for Feeding Middlesex County to purchase food for our local food pantries. Each year Mrs. Wartenburg leads her student to design and decorate ceramic cups which are then sold to the public and also teaches them about the importance of community in the process. A huge thanks to Mrs. Wartenburg and her students!

We are proud to support Replenish to raise funds to purchase perishable food for the 130+ pantries throughout Middlesex County. When you donate funds, you enable Replenish to purchase more food at a wholesale cost than if you donate food. Visit feedingmiddlesexcounty.org

Shout out to Replenish, the Middlesex County Food Bank, held their annual meeting at Aldersgate this morning. 130 pantries across Middlesex County were invited. Mark Dinglasan, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Office of the Food Security Advocate shared gave the keynote address. Without Replenish and the work done by Mark and his team and all our donors, we could not provide the healthy food we are offering families who visit our pantry!

Northfield Bank's Angie Tsirkas, longtime supporter of Replenish and former FMC Board Member, stopped by the warehouse on Friday to hand deliver a very generous donation! We greatly appreciate the support of our Middlesex County businesses and couldn't do our work without them.

Incredibly thankful for every individual, company, and grantor that supports the important work that Replenish is doing for our neighbors!!

We were delighted to discover recently that New Jersey's chapter of SewaDiwali - a nationwide food drive initiative held during the joyous festival of Diwali - collected approximately 165,000 pounds of food for more than 31 pantries, including Replenish!

SewaDiwali is led by Dharmic communities, individuals, and organizations rooted in Hindu culture. All participants uphold the principle of Sewa Dharma: “Service to Humanity is Service to Divinity.” The initiative celebrates the spirit of Diwali through selfless service (Sewa), spreading light and joy by helping those in need.

LINK: https://sewadiwali.org/