A little change can mean homes for the homeless
Local group, businesses collect change to benefit homeless
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Megan powers makes a donation to the Making It Possible to End Homelessness (MIPH) at the Metuchen YMCA.

METUCHEN - People, who don't know what to do with their pesky pennies can now put them to good use.

"No one wants to collect change," said Karen Sherbine, who has been a volunteer at the Making It Possible to End Homelessness [MIPH] in New Brunswick for three years. "Now someone can drop their loose change into house-shaped cans, which are stationed throughout the borough's businesses, schools, office lunchrooms, and school cafeterias, for a good cause. It's a great way for everyone to make a small difference, which I'm hoping will translate into $10,000."

MIPH, which was formerly known as Middlesex Interfaith Partners with the Homeless, is hosting a coin donation drive for homeless families in Central New Jersey for the month of February, but hopes that the drive can continue on in other townships and boroughs.

The nonprofit grassroots group was founded in 1987 to increase local services and resources for homeless persons. MIPH consisted of all volunteers who were represented by local advocates and clergy from the Middlesex County area. MIPH has operated a variety of programs: a dinner program in New Brunswick which served approximately 75 homeless individuals and families nightly; two overnight shelter programs in Temple Emanu-El in Edison, one for mentally disabled homeless individuals and one for families in imminent danger of breaking up due to lack of housing and various social service needs; a "Homeless Outreach Center" in New Brunswick for advocacy and referral services; and Amandla Crossing Transitional Housing Program for homeless single-parent families.

All of the four Metuchen public schools have gotten involved via the student councils and PTO leadership.

"It's also a learning experience for the children on how to learn business," said Sherbine.

When Sherbine first brought up the idea of the coin donation drive, Silvia Goncalves at Silvia's Tailoring on Main Street and Megan Powers of the Metuchen YMCA jumped out at the idea.

"When Karen mentioned the idea, I was all over it," said Powers. "It's for a great cause."

All three reached out to the Metuchen Chamber of Commerce, which got approximately 30 Metuchen businesses, organizations, and schools to sign up for the drive and plus got a handful of businesses, organizations and schools from other towns to become involved in the drive.

Different communities and organizations have already selected a month that they would do the drive.

"The day care centers and Metuchen High School have selected March to do the coin drive," said Sherbine. "The idea is definitely catching on. I just hope we could continue the drive in different communities."

The local businesses that have helped out with the coin drive include: Apex Properties; Chamonix At Home; Chick-Fil-A; Borough Improvement League; Dick's Dock Restaurant; Creative Crafts, Balloons, Flowers; Foot Solutions; Appearance Plus Day Spa; George's Dry Cleaning and Salon; ABZ Academy; the Metuchen YMCA; Silvia's Tailoring; Alessio Restaurant; Boro Ace Hardware; Metuchen Liquor & Deli; New Millenium Bank; Alphabet Kidz Nursery; Helen Hsu at Johnson & Johnson; Sperling; Ratiner Speech; Imani Park, Moss School; New Friends Child Car; Bright Star Day Care; Edison Recreational; Jewish Community Nursery; Kiddie Academy; Metuchen High School; Baer, Arbeiter, Ploshnick, Tanenbauem, Weiss; Barkingham Palace; and Century 21.

For more information about the coin drive call (732) 613-3724 and visit www.miph.net.