Raising Awareness

Margie's Food for Thought

While everyone in the tournament has their eye on the $20,000 first prize and the $3,500 WPT seat that goes with it, players aren't forgetting that raising awareness and donating to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the most important part of the day.  After collecting their winnings at the cage, several of the players are returning to the Poker Room to give back.

"It's great," says Margie Barham, Executive Director of the Southern Branch of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, "the generosity is always overwhelming."

It's not always clear on how the FoodBank works or what its needs are so Barham offers this summary.

"When I speak to groups I'm always asked what kinds of people come to a food pantry," says Barham, who's starting her third year as executive director.  "I tell them to look in the mirror, it's all kinds of people.

"They're not tattered and homeless or dirty, they're just people who have fallen on hard times. They prefer not to use the services, they prefer to have jobs.  They often say that when they get back on their feet, they're going to make a donation. They're apologetic because they'd rather be giving, not taking."

The Southern Branch covers Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and eastern Burlington counties where individuals and families must meet certain requirements to see who gets assistance.

"These are people who have been laid off, had their hours cutback considerably, or were formerly two income families that are now cut in half," says Barham, "We're glad we can help.

Barham sites national statistics that state 1 in 5 children in the country are living in poverty and it's no different in New Jersey.  A recent Feeding America  study showed that the meal gap in New Jersey is $445 million per year, which is the difference between what Jersey families have and what they need to feed them adequately.

"Every little bit helps," says Barham, who's proud to say that for every dollar in the FoodBank's operating budget can equal as much as $10 worth of food.

To learn more about the FoodBank please visit www.njfoodbank.org/.