State and local officials praise Hands of Hope after First Energy donation

Several elected officials and a governor's office representative attended the First Energy presentation and used the occasion to praise the pantry’s volunteers and growth. Mark Ding Lawson, who introduced himself as "your food security advocate from the office of the food security advocate in the governor's office," said the office supports food pantries across New Jersey and that it was an honor to attend.

"We support every food pantry and food bank up and down New Jersey," Mark Ding Lawson said, thanking pantry staff and volunteers. A state legislator identified in the transcript as Senator Pat Digen thanked organizers and described the pantry as "a place called Hope," while former local official Rob Carbench recalled humble beginnings in the pantry’s kitchen and praised its growth and volunteer base. Rob Kentos, described in the transcript as the council vice president, also thanked First Energy and the volunteers for their ongoing work.