Local Real Estate Business Responds to Summer Food Shortages That Strike Families in Need

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RISMEDIA, August 15, 2007–During the summer, donations of non-perishable food items slow down significantly, compared to number of contributions that are made during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Nonetheless, for people who are struggling to feed their families, the quantity of food they need to put on the table actually increases during the summer. One reason is that children are at home during July and August and they no longer receive the free breakfast and noontime meals in school cafeterias.

To help avoid the problem of shortages, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and Diane Turton, Realtors will launch a food drive called “A House is Not a Home without Food Campaign” today, August 15. All the non-perishable food items that are collected will be contributed to the FoodBank, a non-profit organization that supplies food pantries, senior citizen centers, soup kitchens and houses of worship that serve individuals and families in need. The company expects a steady flow of donations as the Jersey Shore’s population surges in summer with the arrival of more seasonal residents, visitors and vacationers.

“Our goal is to collect at least two tons of food between August 15 and September 15,” said Diane S. Turton, the company’s owner and broker of record. “Our 500-plus force of sales associates as well as managers, office staff and corporate personnel are contributing to drive. We are inviting our neighbors to join with us. In fact, for every seven items a person or family drops off at one of our offices, we will match the donation.”

The company is inviting individuals to bring non-perishable foods to any of its 23 offices that stretch from Middletown and Rumson to Point Pleasant Beach and Surf City on Long Beach Island.  The firm, which regularly has partnered with the Foodbank in the past, is seeking donations of canned goods including vegetables, soup, meats, sauces and fish as well as cereal, pasta, rice and other non-perishables like healthy snacks.

For complete details about the company’s office locations, you can visit the firm’s Web site, www.dianeturton.com. Each sales office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week and the firm’s corporate center at 511 Forman Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach is open Monday through Friday, also from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each office will accept food donations.

“Food drives just don’t happen as often during the summer months at the Jersey Shore,” said Susan M. Kelly, the FoodBank’s executive director. “How wonderful it is for Diane Turton and her sales agents to commit to a six week food drive in order to restock our shelves.  By partnering with such members of the community, as Diane Turton, Realtors, we can continue to distribute nutritious food to those who suffer the effects of hunger on a daily basis. We are grateful to Diane, her agents and so many giving people in our surrounding neighborhoods for their ongoing commitment and generosity.”

For more information, visit www.dianeturton.com or call 877-DTURTON.

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