Hopatcong's Women's Club Donates Almost 600 Pounds of Food to West Side Methodist Church

Pat Anderson, co-president of Hopatcong's Women's Club, sometimes laments the club's low profile.

"There are so many people who don't know we exist," she said.

There are, however, a few Hopatcong families who know about the club quite well. To them, the club's the reason they have food on their plates.

That's especially true this summer, as Hopatcong's Women's Club donated almost 600 pounds of mostly non-perishable food to the West Side Methodist Church. The club set up food collection bins at the post office and borough hall, which helpers would monitor and bring to the church for needy families.

It all started six years ago when the New Jersey State Federation for Women's Clubs began an effort to donate food to the Northwest New Jersey Community Action Program. The program lasted two years, and the club collected a lot of food.

But Hopatcong's Women's Club wasn't ready to stop when the NJSFWC wanted to turn its attention to another charitable endeavor. So it continued the program to benefit Hopatcong's less fortunate families.

Anderson said the club has donated more than 1,000 pounds of food to West Side over the past year. She said Hopatcong kind-hearted Hopatcong residents make up for most of the donations.

"People are very generous in this town," she said. "I think people in Hopatcong are quite patriotic and quite generous and try to help their neighbors."

Co-President Marlene Colabella agreed.

"There are several needy people in the area and we decided to do food donations," she said. "People randomly come in and they put the food in the bins.

"It's not a lot of effort on our part. It's more or less a townwide thing.

"We've had a very good community. We are very proud that the people are interested in donating to people who really need it and unfortunately there are people in the town who really need the help."

Anderson credited 77-year-old Carolyn Lynch and her husband, Tom, as the main food retrievers. At least once a week they collect the food from the bins and transport it to West Side, according to Anderson.

Anderson said the club might soon turn its attention to pet owners.

"We've been hearing about more and more people in the community who have had to give up their pets because they can't afford them," she said.

"Once we get into the habit of doing something, we try to continue to do it. We see the need. Whenever it fits the need in the town, we try to do the best we can."

If you'd like to donate, please leave non-perishable foods in the borough hall and post office bins.