Lunch Break, Jon Stewart and Thousands
Were ‘Rising Together’
BY LORI DRAZ
TheJournalNJ.com | OCTOBER 2020 55
During this pandemic,
the number of
people seeking
emergency food supplies
at Lunch Break has risen
to some of the largest in
recent years. To continue
to meet those needs,
Lunch Break hosted the
“Rising Together” virtual
fundraiser on Aug. 27. The
organization was honored
to have comedian and
activist Jon Stewart serve
as the host. Through the
generosity of many sponsors, donors and more than 7,000 viewers of
Facebook Live and YouTube, Lunch Break met its matching challenge
partners Joan Rechnitz and Abe and Linda Littenberg.
Stewart has been an advocate of Lunch Break for a while, stating,
“Lunch Break’s services are essential in normal times, and its value
compassion and thorough execution of food insecurity issues, job
training and overall life management support.”
The evening offered a personal look into the many services and
faces of Lunch Break through compelling testimonials from clients
challenging circumstance after receiving guidance and support from
dedicated staff and volunteers.
Chelsea Zamot was struggling under the weight of debt and unable
Jon Stewart and Gwendolyn O. Love
to graduate college until the Life Skills team helped to reduce
her debt so she could return to her studies. Nick Johnson and Aniyyah
Lebron-Winkey went from desperate to hopeful. Thanks to the
Life Skills team, they have a new apartment, a donated car, steady
employment, and Johnson is enrolled in college courses.
Singers and local youth singer/songwriter Maddie Freeman, of Little
Silver, and included coverage of Lunch Break’s “Operation Gear Up:
We Will Not Miss A Meal” pandemic response to feeding community
members in need, with interviews of frontline volunteers and staff.
The proceeds will be used to sustain the programs and services
for people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We can’t thank our wonderful supporters, organizations and
businesses, the board, our volunteers and staff, and of course, Jon
and Tracey Stewart, enough for helping Lunch Break keep its promise
of never missing a meal,” said Executive Director Gwendolyn O. Love.
incredible community response for our neighbors struggling to
buy food while dealing with
The annual Fall Gala,
originally scheduled for Friday,
Oct. 16, is postponed to
October 2021. Jon Stewart
will once again host. Next
year’s honorees include Carol
Stillwell, president and CEO of
Stillwell-Hansen, Inc.; Lunch
Break Board President John
Guttenplan’s Frozen Dough,
Middletown; A Child’s Place
School, Lincroft; and Abe and
Linda Littenberg, winners of the Corporate Platinum Partner Award.
To donate food, pet products or money, stop by headquarters at 121
Drs. James Parker Blvd. in Red Bank.
Follow Lunch Break on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Give local,
stays local, helps local.
/TheJournalNJ.com