With the celebration of The Causeway Family of Dealerships’ 50th anniversary concluded, we continue with a new yearlong campaign – “CauseWheels” Vehicle Donation Program – to help our neighbors and positively impact Ocean County.

At the end of 2019, Causeway had two requests for vehicle donations to local non-profit organizations. We were able to accommodate each of these requests. This prompted an idea to follow up last year’s 50th Anniversary Grant program.

Anchoring this campaign is the CauseWheels vehicle donation program, through which Causeway will award a used vehicle to one Ocean County nonprofit every month, from February through December of 2020. Due to Covid-19 we had to postpone our April and May winners. To recap, our February winner was Main Street Alliance Church, March – 21 Plus, Inc., June – Interfaith and Support Services, July – St. Theresa’s Food Pantry, and August – Ocean Community Church.

We are proud to announce our September Winner, Potter’s Pantry!

Potter’s Pantry is a small food pantry who makes a large impact on their community. They are affiliated with and located at Cedar Creek Community Church in Bayville, NJ. The Church is nondenominational and welcomes everyone with open arms. Cedar Creek Community Church states “We are a church community that loves God and wants to make Him known. We exist to connect people to the Living God and to His Son, Jesus. We are a visitor-friendly church and endeavor to make Biblical learning E-A-S-Y to understand. Join us and experience church in a meaningful and powerful way”.

Potter’s Pantry was started about 10 years ago by three friends, Kathy Hess, Patty Brostow, and Vicky Lenihan. The three were really into couponing and would compete to see who could save the most money. This sparked their idea of creating a pantry to help those in need in their community. This incredible pantry is run by 20-30 volunteers. They have four Chefs that were trained by Fulfill (Previously known as The FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties). Once a week, these chefs prepare a hot meal for those in need. They also have a volunteer who makes fresh baked cookies to go along with that hot meal.

One of the pantry’s main sources of food donations is Fulfill. Fulfill started a text system for people to find the nearest pantry or soup kitchen to them. They simply text “findfood”, all one word, to 888-918-2729, and follow the prompts to enter their zip code. The system will then text them back all the feeding agencies within a 10-mile radius to them. For Spanish speaking clients they can text “comida” and will get the prompts in Spanish!

Something that we find incredible is that Potter’s Pantry provides families with enough food to last them the week! Also, they are a pantry that lets everyone choose the food they would like to take home. They will not hand you a pre-made box of random food that you hope to enjoy. Instead, they will ask you what specific meat, fruit, vegetables and snacks you’d like to eat that week.

The pantry provides food and clothing at no cost for those in need. All are welcome! You do not need to be a member of the church. The only requirement needed is Photo ID. Due to COVID-19, the clothing closet has been put on hold temporarily.

Potter’s Pantry is open every Thursday evening from 5 PM-7 PM. They are located at Cedar Creek Community Church – 379 Nixon Ave Bayville, NJ 08721. Due to COVID-19, everyone is asked to drive up, wear a mask and open their trunks. Please do not exit your vehicle; volunteers will bring the food to you!

Volunteers are in need! Please contact Cedar Creek Community Church at (732) 269-6204.

Donations are in need! Food, clothes, and personal hygiene products. Please contact Cedar Creek Community Church at (732) 269-6204.