The Pantry is 100% volunteer led. There is no paid staff.
Whether serving a shift at the pantry, picking up donated food, supporting our fundraising efforts, or many other valuable options, we invite you to join the 150 volunteers who bring their passion and talents to help serve their neighbors. See our Volunteer Spotlight below!
We schedule a crew of volunteers daily, ensuring we have enough staff during our open hours (Wednesday-Friday 10am - 1 pm and Thursday evenings 6 - 8 pm.) In addition, we can also use volunteers to assist us with stocking and shelving during off hours, community outreach, food pickup, resource connections, communications, fundraising, and other possibilities. If you have an interest and/or skill that you would like to share, please let us know!
To join our incredible group of volunteers – and become part of the fun and fellowship – please contact Executive Director Linda Curtiss through email or phone (732-775-0161).
March 2024 Volunteer Spotlight: Nick Russo
Nick Russo first got involved with the Bradley Food Pantry as a volunteer at many of our Thanksgiving and Christmas events, helping distribute full holiday dinners and all the fixins to hundreds of area neighbors in need. Then, when he retired from his NYC career, where he was a treasurer/ticket seller at many Broadway theaters, he jumped at the chance to put in more hours. He and his wife Denise, who have lived in Wall Township for 30 years, both are invaluable members of our volunteer team.
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What first brought you to the Pantry?
I always knew that I wanted to be of service to others in need. I worked for some of the Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions. Then when I retired from my career, I inquired about helping more.
What do you do at the Pantry?
My primary purpose at the Pantry is to make sure there is enough food on the shelves for the customers. We do many trips up and down to the basement each day. We are usually in the kitchen or basement listening for the needs of the volunteers in the other room.
Your wife also volunteers; what does she do at the Pantry?
My wife, Denise, works the Wednesday shift and is usually a server in the produce area.
What are your thoughts on how we help the community?
There is a great need in our community to supply food for people in their homes. You can see by our recent numbers that this increase in clients is more of a problem than ever before. But we have done an excellent job to ensure that there is enough food for everyone, every day.
What is your best memory with the pantry?
Every day is a pleasure when you encounter selfless people looking to make a difference! It's also great to see many customers pitching in when we get deliveries. Early on Fridays, I do the Target run with fellow volunteer Tom Pivinski to pick up food for the pantry. There are customers who make sure they come early because they know we need help getting the food inside. [Note: Target is one of several area stores that regularly donate food to the Pantry.]
Many thanks to our volunteer MEGAN SHALOO for writing this Volunteer Spotlight!
(download a copy by clicking this link)
Volunteer Spotlight Archive
February 2024: Holly Mayer, Director of Pantry Operations