Hillsborough 'CAN' Now Better Help Those in Need

For years, the Hillsborough Township Social Services has provided crucial assistance to hundreds of families in need, but officials have noticed many residents haven't always been able to take advantage of the services offered.

And with today's economic instability, families in need can range from a single parent household working through divorce to medical problems—the pink-slipped Merck employee who's never been unemployed before.

The changing nature of families' stresses requires a new tack for the township to more effectively reach deeper into the community—and on Friday, the township unveiled a new approach to do just that through local non-profit and religious communities at the municipal building.

With about 30 representatives of the community groups on hand, the township unveiled it's new "Hillsborough Community Assistance Network" program—Hillsborough CAN.

Township Administrator Anthony Ferrera noted the idea of seeking residents who may need a hand through churches and groups they belong to is aimed at making it possible for them to take advantage of the services in ways that may work better for them.

"There are people here in need," he said. "They don't want to come to the food pantry, they don't want to come to pick up a bag of groceries. How do we go about getting the food back out to the people who need it?"

Working with JK Design, on Amwell Road, the township created a complete marketing concept to help tie several initiatives together in the Hillsborough CAN, including a logo and brochure aimed at increasing awareness of the programs.

The township Food Pantry is in the midst of a remodeling effort to streamline the distribution, which includes donations from the three local grocery stores and fresh produce from Duke Farms. 

The township has also empowered the community groups to serve as intermediaries for residents in need and the township, using a simplified form and brochures of the services.

"When you know people that need the assistance, you can hand those forms (to them) directly," Cathy Faerber, of the township Social Services Department, told the representatives at the meeting. "They can fill it out at home, see what it's about, and then call and make an appointment and everything will be streamlined, pretty much take away some of that awkwardness."

JK Design's Barbara Kaulius said her firm was happy to work on the project for the township, noting her family has lived in Hillsborough for nearly 25 years.

"During that time, we've tried to instill in our children, the thought of giving back to the community," she said, adding the family often helped pack groceries at the Food Pantry. "We can do it, we want to do it, and we are all very blessed that we can help out in this endeavor."

Mayor Frank DelCore noted that even as the township helped provide support for hundreds of families through the years,"we've always believed there was more we could do."

"Our effort is to try to improve that outreach and reach as many people as possible," he said.