The BRICK Times Vol. 24 - No. 31
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Students Prepare Thousands Of Meals For Those In Need
side dishes. OCVTS then provides the packaging and containers needed for distributing these meals. So, what’s on the menu? Corn bread, stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato soufflé, gravy, and of course turkey. This year, culinary students worked with over 3,000 lbs. of turkeys, 1,500 lbs. of potatoes, 1,200 lbs. of sweet potatoes, 850 lbs. of stuffing, 450 lbs. of green beans, and 90 gallons of Photos courtesy OCVTS gravy. “First, we have to let the Chef Gary Lesniak instructs students how to pack the turkeys sit for about five Thanksgiving meals. days to a week to thaw By Alyssa Riccardi “Feed the Need started with out,” Lesniak said. “The BRICK – The Ocean County us just providing 25 meals to turkeys have to be broken Vocational Technical School’s a local church,” Culinary 1 down. Afterwards, the carBrick Center was buzzing with instructor Chef Gary Lesniak cass and bones get roasted activity during the week before said. “Every year it seemed to and prepared for stock to Thanksgiving, where students build. The program back then make gravy. That’s the first worked tirelessly to provide a just relied on donations; people section and most of that holiday meal for those in need. dropping of turkeys, etc.” is done by the Culinary 2 There were 182 culinary The program now partners up students. The other classes students who prepared over with Fulfill, who provided over participate in preparing 3,500 Thanksgiving dinners 400 turkeys this year, as well mashed potatoes, sweet for “Feed the Need,” an initia- as RWJ Barnabas Community potato soufflé, and green tive that began more than 25 Medical Center, who supply bean casserole.” (Students - See Page 4) years ago. the grocery products for the
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Homeless Camp Dismantled With Housing Given
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - A homeless encampment near Winding River Park, which had served as a refuge for over 100 individuals since October 2022, has been closed. All residents have been placed in temporary housing, with the remaining 26 unhoused individuals receiving guaranteed indoor housing for six months through a municipal initiative. The closure represents a significant
step in addressing homelessness in Toms River, achieved through a coordinated effort involving local officials, nonprofit organizations, and legal advocates. “I am proud to announce that this compassionate and cooperative solution addresses the concerns of residents and secures housing for those in the camp at no cost to the taxpayer,” said Mayor Daniel Rodrick. “The camp has been in existence for over two years prior to me taking office, and within a few months
of working together everyone is now in housing.” The encampment, which included elderly residents, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, symbolized the growing challenges faced by the unhoused in New Jersey. Minister Steve Brigham, founder of Destiny’s Bridge and a longtime homeless advocate, had been instrumental in supporting the camp’s residents. For (Homeless - See Page 4)
December 7, 2024
Public Urged To Shop Local By Judy Smestad-Nunn BRICK - Mayor Lisa Crate took a few minutes during the most recent council meeting to urge residents to shop locally and support small businesses in town. According to the United States Small Business Association statistics, there are 34.7 million small businesses in the country, representing 99.7% of firms with paid employees, and are responsible for 61.1 percent of net new jobs created since 1995, Mayor Crate said. Small businesses employ 45.9 percent of employees in the private sector in this country, she added. “68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business in the United States stays in the local community, and every dollar spent at a small business creates an additional 48 cents in local business activity as a result of employees and local businesses purchasing local goods and services,” the mayor said. “Brick Township, New Jersey celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community,” she said. Mayor Crate said Brick Township supports local businesses - they create jobs, boost the local economy and preserve our communities. She then presented a proclamation declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday to the Executive Director
of the Brick Chamber of Commerce Danielle Kidney. After thanking the mayor and council, Kidney said the organization is proud to have such a wonderful relationship with the town. “Our small businesses are the backbone of the community, and we are so excited to have your support and to help further the economy in Brick with the Economic Development Committee as well. We’re looking at ways to bring more small businesses and incentivize small business owners to open and flourish here in Brick Township,” Kidney said. Electric Bike Safety In other news, the governing body introduced an ordinance that would regulate low-speed electric bicycles with the goal of reducing the number of injuries and property damage related to them being improperly operated. The Council’s Public Safety Committee has recom mended the ordinance to address the growing numbers of electric bicycles on township roadways, said Council Vice President Derrick Ambrosino. “With the rising popularity of the use of electric-powered bicycles, the Brick Police Department is seeing a rise in motor vehicle crashes, resulting
(Shop Local - See Page 4)
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