Nearly one-third of Morris County residences live on incomes below the level of self-sufficiency. Despite being ranked as one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, hunger and food insecurity remain as prevalent as ever.
Through the summer months, the Interfaith Food Pantry and Resource Center and other agencies run critically low on supplies, as regular food drive sponsors - scout troops, schools, churches and the like - take a hiatus during vacation season.
To address this crucial need in our communities, the annual Morris County Municipal Action to Curb Hunger (M.c.M.A.T.C.H.) food drive campaign was started in 2012.
Sponsored by The County of Morris Department of Human Services in conjunction with the Interfaith Food Pantry, Curbing Hunger, Inc. and Volunteer Management Centers, M.c.M.A.T.C.H. is a county-wide drive to gather food to help restock the shelves at the Interfaith Food Pantry and other local food providers.
We've set up a friendly competition between the municipalities in the County to see who can raise the most food as the summer comes to an end. Each municipality has been assigned to one of three divisions based upon population:
DIVISION 1 consists of: Boonton Township, Chester Borough, Chester Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Mountain Lakes, Netcong, Riverdale and Victory Gardens.
DIVISION 2 consists of: Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Chester Township, Florham Park, Hanover, Lincoln Park, Long Hill, Rockaway Borough and Wharton.
DIVISION 3 consists of: Denville, Dover, Jefferson, Morris Township, Morristown, Mount Olive, Pequannock, Randolph Township, Rockaway Township, Roxbury and Washington Township.
You can check to see the Division Standings by clicking on the appropriate Leaderboard button below. The winning municipality of each division gets bragging rights and special recognition at the County's Human Services Public Officials Forum in October 2013.
Everyone who participates gets to know they are helping out someone - a neighbor, a friend, a co-worker, someone who just needs a helping hand.
