House of turkeys: Family serves others at Thanksgiving
MANALAPAN, N.J. — Walking through Jamie Bruno’s house last week was like navigating an obstacle course. Hundreds of cans were stacked against one wall. Dozens of juice bottles covered the kitchen table. Laundry baskets filled with food lined the floors.
Outside her front door, several big coolers were stuffed with turkeys. Cars pulled up all afternoon as people brought more goods to the stockpile.
This is what generosity looks like.
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Each November Bruno and her family put together Thanksgiving dinner baskets for local families in need, calling on everyone they know to contribute. These baskets are extensive, with all the trimmings. This year’s goal was 150.
“We’ve gotten an unbelievable response,” said the 47-year-old Bruno, a special education teacher at Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School. “People are so kind and generous.”
It started three years ago as a response to a Facebook post. Bruno noticed one of her former Manalapan High School classmates, Yvette Anderson, was looking for Thanksgiving basket donations. Anderson runs Meet the Need Foundation, a Jackson-based non-profit that helps provide food and toys around the holidays.
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“We hadn’t talked in over 30 years,” Anderson said. “But from that we’ve made some miracles happen. Each year this has gotten bigger.”
Bruno is sending 70 baskets to Anderson and 50 more to a contact in Middletown who is helping folks along the Bayshore. Even as she spoke with a reporter, Bruno received a text message requesting two more baskets and two cars pulled into her driveway to drop stuff off.
“I think it’s amazing, to see everyone pull together like this,” said fellow Manalapan resident Carolyn Capolupo and she handed over desserts and drinks.
Each basket cost roughly $50 to assemble. Some people sent checks, and a particularly meaningful one came in this year. It was from a Manalapan family of five that had fallen on hard times last year and needed a basket.
“They got their lives back on track and they were extremely generous — they gave above and beyond what they should have,” Bruno said. “But they said, ‘Use it for those who really need it,’ and we found another family that’s in the same boat this year. We’re going to be able to help them out.”
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You might not think suburban Monmouth County has so many people in need, but that’s been the eye-opening part of this for the Brunos.
“If you lose a job or are out of work for a bit, it’s hard to get back on your feet in this area,” Jamie said.
Thankfully the food keeps rolling in. The Manalapan Soccer Club, of which Bruno is a board member, is a big force behind the drive. Rumson-Fair Haven High School’s girls soccer team sent four baskets. Club Metro USA Fitness Center in Manalapan serves as a key drop-off point for goods.
As the turkeys piled up, Bruno’s neighbors volunteered to store some birds until everything got shipped out over the weekend. At home, her husband Jerry and children Thomas (15), Lauren (14) and Jimmy (13) helped with logistics, making sure the baskets were properly assembled.
“We’re all busy this time of year,” Jamie said, “but you remember how important it is to stop what you’re doing and think about everyone else.”
Follow Jerry Carino on Twitter: @njhoopshaven