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Community Corner

Paul Krueger Helps Food Bank Fill Commitments

Warren retiree says "it's payback time" for a life well lived.

As husband, parent and grandparent, Paul Krueger feels truly fortunate.  So, when he retired as manager of environmental affairs at The BOC Group in Murray Hill, Krueger began volunteering every Monday at The Food Bank Network of Somerset County.

"It's payback time for all the good things and all the lucky things that have happened in my life and the fact that I don't have to worry about providing food for my family.  Here's a chance to pay back some of it," says Krueger, 75. "Everybody needs food in their bellies, clothes on their back and a roof over their heads.  Everything else is extra.  The Food Bank Network is one of those organizations that is helping them fill their bellies."

Krueger, who dubs himself "Mr. Monday," is part of a group of committed volunteers who regularly lend a hand sorting and distributing food at The Food Bank Network's huge warehouse in Bound Brook.

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"If I were to put together a list of dedicated volunteers, Paul is probably on the top of the list," says Marie Scannell, Food Bank Network Executive Director.  "He's an incredible worker.  His commitment to helping people who are less fortunate is really foremost to him.  He feels very blessed and he's here to give back."

Krueger—who has lived in Warren since 1967 with his wife of 46 years, Carol—began volunteering almost 20 years ago with members of his church, Trinity United Church on King George Road, who were asked to man a local food pantry each Saturday during the month of March.  When he retired from his job 12 years ago, he decided he wanted to give more of his time.

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"I was surprised by the large number of families in Somerset County who receive food from The Food Bank Network," he says.

Each Monday, Krueger performs a myriad of duties.  He drives to Costco in the morning to pick up donated breads, cookies, pies and other baked items.  He helps unload the cars of those who come to the warehouse with donations. 

And he carefully prepares the bags of non-perishable food items that are handed out to needy Somerset County residents.

"Most of the clients who come into the warehouse get a bag of food, either a regular bag, a bag for diabetics or a bag for people who don't have cooking facilities," he says.

Each bag of food follows a specially-designed menu, something Krueger takes very seriously.

"I'm dismayed at how the food producers are reducing the amount of food in their packaging," he says. "For example, the menu we follow calls for two 1-pound packages of pasta, which used to be easy to find.  Now you have to look at each box carefully because now you get 13 1/2 ounces, 14 1/2 ounces.  And I make it my responsibility to try to give the clients the maximum that we can give them."

In addition, Krueger is a member of the Warren Township Traffic Advisory Committee, his two-year appointment due to end this January. 

He's an avid model railroader, with an HO-gauge train layout that spans two ping pong tables in his basement. 

And, for the past 13 summers, he and his wife have rented a lakeside house in New Hampshire, where, surrounded by family and friends, Krueger counts his many blessings.

Have a Noteworthy Neighbor you think Warren Patch should profile?  Contact Mary Ann McGann at tagintheback@optonline.net.

Last month, we featured Paul Abend, founder of the Autism Think Tank and helped launch the innovative Mt. Bethel Village.

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