LOOKING BACK
Talking Turkey
Circa 1994
When the Human Needs Food Pantry opened its doors in 1982, it was an outreach program of the First Baptist
Church of Montclair. It later became an independent non-profit, and moved to a small rented space on
Greenwood Avenue, where the above photo was taken around the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2005, the Pantry
relocated to a newly built facility of its own on Label Street, with room for a food warehouse, upstairs clothing
rooms and a client service area. Which is a good thing, because local need has grown, too. “We gave out
800 turkeys last year,” says Janet Nau, assistant to Mike Bruno, the executive director. “And there are more people
coming here this year than last year.” Civic-minded cyclists are invited to join the annual Montclair Bikerysponsored Turkey Ride on November 20. The 15-mile loop takes them to the Brookdale ShopRite in Bloomfield,
where they will purchase turkeys to drop off at the Pantry. Last year’s event brought in more than 350 birds.
—Cindy Schweich Handler
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HUMAN NEEDS FOOD PANTRY
Do you have a great photo for Looking Back? Send your suggestions to to [email protected].
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MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE HOLIDAY 2016