More than 50 years ago, one woman began helping others by giving what she could out of the trunk of her car. Fran Mickett started a movement that blossomed into a mission fulfilled by the Aldersgate United Methodist Church via the Aldersgate Outreach Community Center (AOCC) food pantry and thrift shop.
As the years go by, the mission remains the same − to help “our neighbors” in the greater East Brunswick community with hunger and household needs. And those needs keep growing, said Executive Director Diane Hutchins.
“The good news is we have been blessed by the generosity of the East Brunswick community through Thrift Shop donations, food and monetary donations, plus the number of volunteers is steadily increasing,” Hutchins said. “The sad news is we are serving almost 50% more families now than we did in January. In January, we served 880 families; in October, we served 1,230 families.”
The food pantry provides food to hundreds − now more than 1,000 − of families each month. In addition, it makes a monthly onsite distribution to residents nearby at the Hall’s Corner Senior Apartments.
Fall is always the busiest time of the year, Hutchins said.
For AOCC’s annual Thanksgiving distribution, the nonprofit distributed 300 turkeys, chickens, hams and fish. AOCC also runs a Christmas gift program for children and seniors and in 2025, they have registered 657 children and 200 seniors.
“With the current state of the economy, we have made the decision to make a Christmas distribution of the same foods − turkeys, hams, chickens and fish to ensure families do not have to worry about their holiday dinner,” Hutchins said.
The Aldersgate Outreach Community Center, which began in the trunk of an East Brunswick resident’s car 50 years ago, has blossomed into full-fledged service center, complete with a brand-new location on the lower level of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
With an increasing number of families in need, the AOCC works hard to increase its food sourcing, Hutchins said. The AOCC receives monthly food shipments from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside of 12,000-14,000 pounds as well as picking up several times per month.
They now pick up more than 1,000 pounds per week from Stop & Shop in East Brunswick with an additional 200-plus pounds per week from Aldi. In addition, the AOCC picks up from Replenish, the Middlesex County Food Bank, three times per week.
Needy Cases Fund 2025: How to help your neighbors in need this holiday season
During the week, AOCC continues to pick up from Stop & Shop, Aldi, Wawa and Replenish and periodically picks up from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints storehouse in Piscataway. Giamarese Farm in East Brunswick donates apples, squash, eggplant and additional vegetables all summer and fall. Recently, AOCC added Paris Baguette in North Brunswick to the pickup schedule.
“Families are now enjoying some really wonderful sweet and savory goodies,” Hutchins said. “Without all these donations, we would be hard-pressed to offer families fresh foods in addition to shelf-stable.”
Initially called The Crisis Room when it originated in the 1970s, the program’s first home was in the trunk of Mickett’s car. The nonprofit organization became a separate ministry of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church of East Brunswick in 2000 and underwent a name change to Aldersgate Outreach Community Center in 2019.
In 2023, the AOCC closed the affectionally named neighboring “White House” and created an improved indoor pantry and thrift shop that can be found on the lower level of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Ryders Lane. The opening of the new space marked the first time operations came back inside since March 2020.
AOCC is open for registration to anyone residing in Middlesex County who is experiencing food insecurity. Clients must qualify under state or federal guidelines. Those living outside Middlesex County who otherwise qualify may pick up during state and federal food weeks. There is no citizenship requirement, Hutchins said.
“Neighbors” who come for food have been happy to enjoy a climate-controlled comfortable area and more food choices, said Hutchins. Those who qualify for AOCC’s services have access to a full-choice pantry including fresh produce, meat, dairy, deli items, bread and pastries. Extra items including condiments, baking products, canned and bottled drinks are also offered when available.
The thrift shop is open to the public and all proceeds fund the pantry, she said. The thrift shop created a full shopping experience with household items and a clothing shop where most of the clothing is priced at $1.
“The prices in the Thrift Store are the lowest you will find, and the quality is amazing,” Hutchins said.
The Aldersgate Outreach Community Center, which began in the trunk of an East Brunswick resident’s car 50 years ago, has blossomed into full-fledged service center, complete with a brand-new location on the lower level of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
The AOCC also has been partnering with Saint Peter’s Community Health Services to provide free screenings and information to “our neighbors” when they come in for food. Joyce Nadler, a senior at East Brunswick High School, again ran her East Brunswick gardeners food drive project.
“The gardeners donate their excess fruits and vegetables to the food pantry and Joyce dropped off super fresh veggies,” Hutchins said. “She faithfully picked up all summer and brought them directly to us for distribution to our families.”
Hutchins said volunteers continue to be needed at both the pantry and thrift shop, especially on Saturdays. Pantry volunteers are also needed to help with distribution days, Community Food Bank truck deliveries, grocery store and Replenish weekly pickups. Thrift shop volunteers assist with sorting, arranging and assisting customers while pantry volunteers help “neighbors” with food selections and carrying bags and restock shelves. Language proficiency in Spanish or Arabic is always appreciated, she added.Pantry/thrift shop hours are 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Thrift shop donation days are from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and noon to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Donations may be made directly to AOCC through the Church website or sent by mail to Aldersgate Outreach Community Center, 568 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. For the Christmas program, AOCC accepts Target and Walmart gift cards in $5, $10, $20 and $25 denominations or monetary donations for the program. Gift cards need to include the gift card receipts. Monetary or gift card donations can be dropped when AOCC is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
For more information or to volunteer, call or message AOCC on Facebook or go to aldersgateumcnj.org/outreach-center.html.
How to support the Needy Cases Fund
From Nov. 30 to Dec. 7, the Courier News, the Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com are focusing on 11 organizations serving Central Jersey as part of the annual Needy Cases Fund program.
The Needy Cases Fund is a Central Jersey holiday tradition, stretching back more than 75 years. The community-service project has been sponsored by the Home News Tribune and its predecessor, the Daily Home News, working with the Lions Club of New Brunswick. The Courier News has joined the Home News Tribune in sponsoring the charity since 2020.
Send donations (checks made out to the Needy Cases Fund or cash) to: Needy Cases Fund, Home News Tribune/Courier News, 92 E. Main St., Suite 202, Somerville, NJ 08876. Please indicate with a note whether you wish to be acknowledged in a wrap-up story about the program, or whether you wish to remain anonymous.
Donations will be gratefully accepted through the end of December.
email: [email protected]
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Aldersgate Outreach Community Center sees 50% more neighbors in need
