WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- “While watching the news last week, I was shocked to hear that in Central Jersey alone, local food banks would experience a shortage of 2,000 turkeys this holiday season, due to a bird flu outbreak which depleted supply and increased prices,” Sal Risalvato, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store, Automotive Association (NJGCA), said last week.
He emailed NJGCA members, “encouraging them to share some of their blessings with people in need. In the subsequent days, we collected and delivered 56 turkeys to the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, and we currently have commitments for over 100 more to be delivered to our new headquarters here in Wall Township over the next few days.”
Risalvato said he plans to make the turkey dropoff an annual event.
“It thrills me to see my members stepping up to the plate to make this effort a success,” he said. “I am only aware of this shortage because I heard a news report, so the more press this issue gets, the more chance there is that everyone will do what they can to support their neighbors in need. I look forward to making this sort of project an annual effort for my association and my members. This year, we were simply responding to an emergency need and organized this last minute effort. Imagine what we will be able to achieve when we have the time and resources to plan and execute an organized campaign.”
NJGCA represents more than 1,500 small-business owners of gas stations. Convenience stores and automotive repair facilities in the state of New Jersey.
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