Support for Our First Responders

When Peck’s own Chef Joe Mirra realized that The Peck School would not be returning to a normal on-campus schedule after spring break, and, understanding that the Peck Commons kitchen remained stocked with perishables, he reached out to Andrew Schneider, Peck’s Director of Finance and Operations. “I hated the thought of having to throw away our fruit and vegetables,” Mirra explained. “I called a number of local food banks and located one in Somerset County, The Food Bank Network, that was in need. I suggested a donation to Andrew and he felt it was a wonderful idea.” Mirra collected the food from the Peck kitchen and personally transported it to the food bank warehouse in Bound Brook. The donation included cases of apples, oranges, lemons, carrots, celery, and eggs.

 

The mission of The Food Bank Network is to “distribute food and to provide other basic human needs to those less fortunate in our community in a manner which recognizes and advances self-worth and human dignity.” The Network offers food through three food pantries, located in Somerville, Bound Brook, and North Plainfield.

Likewise, Bruce Schwartz, Director of Peck’s Osborn Idea and Design Lab, and Colleen Loughman, Peck’s School Nurse, realized they had the means to support the local medical effort. Schwartz donated the school’s surplus of latex gloves and P95 (not the often-mentioned N95) masks to Morristown Medical Center. Loughman delivered medical gloves and masks from her office and from the Peck Science Department. The hospital is actively treating diagnosed cases of COVID-19, and continues to prepare for a coming surge of patients due to the pandemic.

 

“During this time of crisis, the Peck community strives to live out our core value of ‘consideration of others’ and to be continuously grateful for the many charities and front-line workers who face daily hardship on our behalf,” stated Andy Delinsky, Head of The Peck School.