Food Pantry Seeks Donations for Delivery Vehicle

A donation from a local business leader has kicked off the Teaneck Helping Hands Food Pantry’s drive to raise money for a new delivery vehicle.

Geoff Rochwarger, a Teaneck resident and chief executive officer of Newark-based  IDT Energy, Inc, made a “sizable donation” to the pantry, according to a news release announcing the funding drive. The exact amount was not disclosed.

“I am excited by the opportunity to support an organization like the . Early in my career at IDT Corporation, I helped support the Company’s food donation program and our rolling soup kitchen manned by employees,” Rochwarger said in the release.

The pantry recently ranked second place in a contest to win a new truck, but the need remains.

“We worked so hard and had so many supporters helping us in our effort to win, but we fell short,” said Janice Preschel, volunteer director at the Helping Hands Food Pantry. “It’s wonderful to see members of our community, stepping in to help us continue the work we do every day for families in need.”

The truck would be used for food deliveries to people who can’t make it to the West Englewood Avenue location, including the elderly and people without cars,  Preschel said.

Councilman Elie Y. Katz, one of the pantry’s founders, said the contest brought Teaneck together, but the efforts must continue.

“We are grateful to Mr. Rochwarger for his generous contribution to help kick start the campaign to purchase this much needed vehicle for the food pantry, and we are hopeful to see others step up as well," Katz said.

Volunteers staff the pantry, which serves almost a hundred Teaneck families a week. Donations can be made online at www.teaneckpantry.com/donate-2/.

“We are a 501c3 charitable organization and all contributions are tax deductible. We encourage any and all donations, large and small, in the hope that our mission is able to continue,” said Preschel.

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