Stars Shine at Food Pantry Benefit

0

LIVINGSTON, New Jersey – On Friday, Friday, March 25, Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo of “Dancing with the Stars” fame dazzled the crowd at the Interfaith Food Pantry’s 12th Annual Spring Gala, “Fighting Hunger One Step at a Time” held at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.

Edyta and Alec
Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo of "Dancing with the Stars" fame perform at the Interfaith Food Pantry Spring Gala at the Crystal Plaza, Livingston

The show stopping performances were part of the celebration honoring Mary Jo Buchanan, Morris County Director of Human Services and the Morristown based law firm of Graham Curtin, P.A. for their contributions to the Interfaith Food Pantry’s efforts to build a new warehouse and distribution center in the Greystone Park complex in Parsippany.

Sponsored by The Walsh Company of Morristown, Lyndhurst based Structuretone, and The Anderson Companies of Fairfield, the event raised over $120,000 toward the project. Buchanan was awarded the Pantry’s 2011 Outstanding Service award. “Because she had extensive capital campaign experience from her prior position with Family Services, we went to her for advice” said Rosemary Gilmartin, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry. “She generously offered to share her expertise and helped us form the public/private partnership to build this center which will allow us to serve all county residents in need of assistance.”

Mary Jo Rosemary Gary
Outstanding Service Award recipient Mary Jo Buchanan, Morris County Director of Human Services, Rosmeary Gilmartin, Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry and Gary Buchanan
Paul Rachel Ann Marie and Tom
Paul Zelenty, Rachel Carter Cushing of Graham Curtin, along with Ann Marie Manahan, IFP Board of Trustees and Thomas R. Curtin of Graham Curtin accept the Pantry's 2011 Pantry Partner Award

Graham Curtin P.A., a general practice law firm based in Morristown was awarded the IFP Pantry Partner Award for their contributions to the project and their direct involvement with the Pantry. The firm first got involved with IFP when Rachel Cushing, an associate, joined the Board of Trustees. Over time many of the partners and associates started helping by doing food drives and volunteer work. When the new building project began, partner Paul Zelenty offered to provide legal services pro-bono. “Since we have launched the campaign, Graham Curtin has been with us every step of the way through negotiations, leases and contracts. We could not have done this without them.” Gilmartin said.

The Interfaith Food Pantry currently provides emergency and supplemental food to nearly 5,000 Morris County households, provides hands-on opportunities for individuals, families and groups to help their neighbors in need and strives to educate the public about the issue of local hunger. In 2010, the Pantry distributed more than 727,000 pounds of food. For more information, visit www.mcifp.org.

 

LEAVE A REPLY