Parade marchers, viewers urged to bring items for food pantries

This year, the organizers of Metuchen's 56th annual Winter Festival Parade, to be held on Sunday, Nov. 29, are doing things a bit differently: they're using the parade as an opportunity to collect nonperishable goods for local food banks.

Jan Margolis heads up the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce's parade organizing committee and is part of the committee at her church, the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, which runs the food pantry.

"I'm aware of how low the supplies are and how much in demand they are," Margolis said. "We never turn anyone down. … We had a guy come in a while ago and he saw the soap, and he said, 'Can I have the soap?' … He didn't have any for his children. These are desperate people who have been out of work for a long time."

Everyone attending the parade — marchers and viewers — are asked to bring a canned good, soap or other nonperishable item to help stock food pantries. All donations will go to the First Presbyterian Church and St. Francis Cathedral food pantries, according to Caroline Woodruff, administrator for the Chamber of Commerce.

The parade begins at 2 p.m. and marches down Brunswick Street to Main Street, turns onto New Street and ends at the Pearl Street parking lot, where the recreation department will provide hot chocolate. The Chamber also has Santa on hand to visit with children and pass out "Christmas dust" (bags of oatmeal with sparkles in it). The parade also can be seen on METV, which also will moderate the event, Margolis said.

"The oatmeal is for the reindeer, and the sparkles guide Santa's sleigh to the house," said Woodruff.

This also is the first time Metuchen's only synagogue, Congregation Neve Shalom, will participate.

"Neve Shalom has a float," Margolis said. "I'm so excited" that they're participating.

"It's a wonderful winter celebration," said Jayne Sklon, executive director at the synagogue. "It's a wonderful community event, and we wanted to participate. As a member of the Metuchen Chamber of Commerce, we felt it was important to join in the winter parade festivities."

Rachel Smith is a 10-year-old parade veteran. The Metuchen youngster marched in the holiday parade two years ago. The parade was canceled last year due to rain. Rachel is hoping to march with her Girl Scout troop this year.

"It's really fun, and I get to hang out with all the girls," she said. "It was kind of chilly, but not too cold. We got hot chocolate."

Her advice for newbies? "Wear warm clothes, wear sneakers, and drive the route before you walk it."

Rachel's mom, Donna Smith, said she likes the sense of community at the parade.

"I see all the neighbors as we march and wave; she sees the kids from school. It's a fun day," Smith said. "Grandma and Grandpa also live in Metuchen, so they always come."

"We encourage everyone attending this year's holiday events to embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season by helping the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce replenish the local food pantries," Woodruff said. "We will be collecting nonperishable food items at both the Winter Festival Parade and the annual Christmas tree lighting. If everybody that attends these events brings just one item, it will truly make a difference for some local families that have fallen on hard times."

"The theme of this year's parade is 'A Hometown Holiday,' " Woodruff said.

Marchers include the Metuchen High School Marching Band, St. Joseph High School's Holiday Combo, the Banjo Rascals, the Hometown Brass Band, Fred Lehotay's Ragtime Band, American Celts Pipes and Drums, and the All Star Mummers.