(RED BANK – OCTOBER 12, 2026) The Count Basie Center for the Arts will be holding a “Food + Wellness” drive to assist its fellow Red Bank nonprofit, Lunch Break.

Now through November 13, patrons attending a performance or class at the Count Basie Center are asked to bring an item from the list below. The drive will assist Lunch Break in its mission to freely provide food, clothing, housing solutions, life skills, and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County and beyond. Lunch Break isn’t just a food pantry — it’s an organization that assists with just about every need in the community, from its annual back-to-school backpack and holiday toys programs, meals for the homebound, a space called Clara’s Closet where guests can browse and pick out clothes at no cost, and more.

Items You Can Bring To Assist:

FOOD

Shelf stable almond or oat milk (Unflavored / unsweetened)
Oatmeal packets
Cereal
Apple Sauce
Canned Fruit
Dry/Canned Beans: black, kidney, baked, cannellini, pinto
Canned Soup: chicken, vegetable, tomato
Canned Meals: spaghetti, ravioli, chili
Canned Chicken
Canned Tuna
Pasta (any shape, not spaghetti)
Canned Corn, Peas & Carrots
Peanut Butter

Whenever possible, please select low sodium and low sugar items when choosing your non-perishable food donations.

PERSONAL CARE

Shampoo
Conditioner
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Body Wash

BABY ITEMS

Diapers – Sizes 1- 6
Baby Wipes

For more information on items you can donate to Lunch Break, or to learn how to sponsor a family for the holidays, hold your own food drive and more, click here.