West Long Branch, NJ: Normally Thanksgiving dinners provided so generously by volunteers at The Lunch Break of Red Bank are served on plastic plates with plastic utensils. This Thanksgiving, the guests of Lunch Break will be dining on Roast Turkey or Ham with all the trimmings served on real china with silverware and fine linens on the tables, all courtesy of Branches Catering in West Long Branch.
It was after an event two months ago that Branches catered for the Parker Family Health Center, that Managing Partner John Lombardo offered to do something that would benefit the needy people in Red Bank. Irma Hughes and Dr. Eugene Cheslock of the Center involved the Lunch Break and Pilgrim Baptist Church, with the assistance of new Lunch Break Executive Director Gwendolyn Love.
Lunch Break serves an average of 60-100 people per day and depends on the generosity of the community for support.
The mission of The Parker Family Health Center is to be a free health care facility where Monmouth County residents who do not have medical insurance or the ability to pay for medical care can be treated.
Says Lombardo, "I was already thinking of giving a donation, but both programs really touched me," says Lombardo, "I thought that it would be a treat to not just get the food, but also give receive the finer touches that people in their situation rarely get a chance to experience. Several of the suppliers for Branches have donated goods, including U.S. Foods, A&J Produce, and North East Linen. Sickles Market is donating beautiful table centerpieces.
What developed from that conversation outside of a tent during the summer is now a feat: Pilgrim Baptist Church has offered to provide van service for anybody that cannot travel on their own as well as many volunteers to serve, Branches Catering is providing the meals and accompaniments, with Lunch Break serving as the prefect conduit and touchstone for the effort.
Lunch Break is always looking for volunteers. Please contact Director Gwendolyn Love or Assistant Director George Lancaster at 732-747-8577. The Parker Family Health Center serves many of the guests of Lunch Break and can be contacted at 732-212-0777. Branches Catering provides both on-site and off-site catering for all occasions and can be contacted at 732-542-5050 or www.BranchesCatering.com.
