1 November, 1985 (~estimated)
Area food drive termed a success
By Sally Lane
Staff Writer
The Princeton Area Chapter of Inc Red Cross distributed 121 Thanksgiving food baskets this year — and hopes to distribute even more next year, , according to a spokeswoman there.
“We’ve gotten really great support this year, so we plan to do another really big food drive next year,” said spokeswoman Maggie Miller.
For the first time, the Princeton Packet, in cooperation with the local first aid squads. helped sponsor the 1. Red Cross Thanksgiving food drive. The purpose of the drive was to collect non-perishable and canned goods to be distributed Nov. 25 to the elderly and needy families.
“The Packet was pleased to join with the Red Cross in a successful effort of providing food to those in . need during the holiday season,” said James B. Kilgore. Packet president. I, Area supermarkets. businesses, the L. Delaware-Raritan Council of Girl Scouts, and students from Princeton and West Windsor-Plainsboro high schools, also helped during the drive. which took place Oct. 28 through Nov. 22.
Approximately 93 Girl Scouts help-ed collect food during the drive, while the high school students helped sort the food for distribution Nov. 23. The approximately 20 students helped members of the Red Cross and community volunteers sort the food which had been stored at a Herrontown Road warehouse, Ms. Miller said.
“It was rewarding to be at the main collection warehouse the Saturday before Thanksgiving to see all the donated food and to help out packing the soup. vegetables, cranberry sauce. hams and many other items.” Mr. Kilgore said.
Local agencies last week received and distributed the equivalent of approximately 242 grocery bags of food, Ms. Miller said.
Among the agencies was the Prince-ton Housing Authority, which received 32 boxes; the Highstown-East Windsor Community Action Service Center, which received 15; Princeton Community Village, which received 16: and the Princeton Senior Resource Center. which received 17 boxes.
Princeton Borough and Township received 15 boxes; Elm Court received 9; the West Windsor Township Social Services Department received 9; and the Plainsboro Welfare Department received 8 boxes. Ms. Miller said.
Cash donations made by area business were used to buy canned hams and to nutritionally balance the Thanksgiving baskets, Ms. Miller said.
The Princeton Packet donated $1.000 to the drive; The Nassau Savings and Loan Association, $200; the Montgomery branch of the Howard bank. 550; and the Commodities Corp. of Princeton, $200.
The food was collected in weather-proof barrels donated by the FMC Corp. of Plainsboro. The barrels were set up outside participating squads in October.
Participating in the drive were the Cranbury. East Windsor I & 2, Hopewell. Lawrence Township, Pennington. Princeton. Kingston. Montgomery. Township. Plainsboro, Rocky Hill and the Twin W first aid squads.
Barrels were also set up in area supermarkets Nov. 20 through Nov. 2.
Participating in the drive was the Super Fresh Food Market, the Acme Market. and Davidson’s Supermarket. of Princeton; the Rocky Hill Grand Union and Foodtown Rocky Hill; the Thriftway in Plainsboro; the Acme Market in West Windsor; the Shop-Rite in East Windsor and Kingston: and the Super Fresh in Hightstown.
“This was the beginning of what I hope can be an annual effort”: Mr. Kilgore said. “I was pleased with the community response. the volunteer support and with the hard work’ and dedication of the Red Cross staff in making the food drive work.”
TRAFFIC TIED UP
By School Van, Car Collision.
Traffic was tied up Tuesday morning as the result of an 8:30 accident between a school van and two cars just before the Mercer Road Bridge.
One driver, Patricia Hooks, of Trenton, was taken by the Princeton First Aid Squad ambulance to Princeton Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries to her head, back and legs.
None of the five students in the 16-seat school bus van, nor the driver, Lynn Delgado, 25, of Diverty Road, Trenton, nor a teacher’s aide were injured. Police report the van was transporting the students to a special class held in the Unitarian Church.
According to Ptl. Robert Buchanan, who investigated, a car approaching the bridge had slid off the roadway — it was raining at the time and road conditions were wet and slippery — and a car behind it, operated by Sally Campanaro. 21, of Trenton, braked sudden-ly to avoid a collision.
The Hooks car was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear of the Campanaro car. The school van, following behind, then struck the rear of the Hooks car.
Ptl. Buchanan issued a summons to the operator of the school van for careless driving. Charges against Ms. Hooks are pending the completion of his investigation.
25 YEARS AGO, November 1960
Pantominist Marcel Marceau gives two performances at McCarter Theatre.
Borough Council denies the use of the small playground at the corner of Chestnut Street and Hamilton Avenue as a site for the future home of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad.