Seabrook Community Collects Record Amount of Clothing for Lunch Break in Red Bank

TINTON FALLS, NJ - Seabrook residents love to help their friends and neighbors however they can. They regularly donate their time and talents helping a host of non-profit organizations by providing support for organizations such as the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, SPCA and the United Way of Monmouth County.
In their latest endeavor, residents collected clothing to help Monmouth County residents looking to dress for success through a special program sponsored by a local non-profit aimed at helping those in need.
In a one-day collection by the Seabrook community, approximately 1,000 bags of clothing went to Lunch Break, a Red Bank-based non-profit organization that provides life's basic necessities for those in need, including food, clothing and fellowship.
The clothing collection is part of Lunch Break's ongoing initiative called "Suited for Success," which is designed to assist individuals in need of work appropriate attire and special occasion outfits.
This year's collection  is the highest one day total gathered by Seabrook since the Tinton Falls continuing care retirement community began this project and to date, residents have given close to 2,000 bags of clothing to Lunch Break.
The clothing was dropped off at locations throughout Seabrook, but it took a team of young local athletes to finalize the project. Student-athletes from the Monmouth University Athletic Department came to meet residents, gather the goods and deliver them to Lunch Break.
"I am consistently astonished by the outpouring of support by our residents and staff who work to make the community-at-large a better place," said Seabrook Executive Director Art Sparks. "The clothing that members of the Seabrook family donated will assist those who are seeking to obtain jobs and opportunities that will help them achieve their goals. I thank the residents, Lunch Break and the young athletes from Monmouth University who were involved in making this such a grand endeavor."
Lunch Break Executive Director Gwendolyn Love said, "We are incredibly grateful for the enormous generosity and commitment of the Seabrook community and the athletes of Monmouth University. The hundreds of families helped in the clothing department at Lunch Break will have an abundance of quality items to fulfill their needs and especially for their children. We are very blessed to have this wonderful unique partnership of young athletes and retirees who have come together to help those in need."
"The Monmouth Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has been very excited about the opportunities Seabrook has presented us," said Monmouth University Director of Compliance for Athletics Samantha Hegmann. "One of the goals of our Monmouth SAAC is community outreach. With this partnership, our student-athletes have not only been able to reach out to the residents here and provide a service to them, but they have in turn they have given our student-athletes some great experiences. Through working with Seabrook Community Services Manager Judy Seger, and other staff members as well as interacting with the residents, it has not only given us a chance to give back to those in the community that support Monmouth Athletics, but also evoke some school pride in the alumni that's live and work here as well."
Since the inception of the Suited for Success program five years ago, 350 individuals have been given clothing to help them with their careers as well as being given outfits for other occasions, including weddings, funerals and proms.
Lunch Break's overall mission is to alleviate hunger and lead those we serve to self-sufficiency and healthier lifestyles. To learn more about Lunch Break, you can contact 732-747-8577 or visit them on the web here: Lunch Break.
Seabrook volunteers amassed approximately 10,000 hours of volunteer work last year.
About Seabrook:  Seabrook is one of 17 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living. The scenic 98 acre campus is located in Tinton Falls, New Jersey and is home to more than 1,400 residents. Seabrook is the perfect greater Monmouth and Ocean County retirement destination offering a true sense of community, convenience beyond compare and a sensible financial structure.

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