When recent storms hit the Tri-State area last month and resulted in subsequent flooding in those areas historically prone to the rivers exceeding their banks, the regional division of the American Red Cross issued a request for emergency food support from the Culinary Response Team (CRT) unit of Merri-Makers Caterers from Edison, New Jersey. Best known for over 35 years of off-premise wedding and event catering, Merri-Makers is putting their experience and resources to good use with this new division.
The CRT was established in 2007 when the last wave of serious flooding hit north and central New Jersey communities leaving thousands of households without electricity and water. The CRT, managed by long-time Red Cross volunteer and Merri-Makers team member, Jim Corrigan, hit the ground running and prepared tens of thousands of meals for disaster victims. Subsequently, the American Red Cross and CRT entered into a “Memorandum of Understanding” to provide mass care feeding during local, regional or national disasters and to be in a “state of readiness” as the needs of the American Red Cross arise, in most cases urgently. The company has refrigerated semi trucks that can deliver meals to locations thoughout the continental United States and are considered first response for disasters east of the Mississippi.
This year’s emergency call went out for food to be mobilized in the communities of New Milford, Ridgewood and most of Passaic County, all of which were subjected to the cresting Passaic and Hackensack Rivers in northern New Jersey. The CRT expedited over 20,000 fresh-made, culturally-sensitive meals to the victims and support service teams in a 72 hour period. Corrigan explains, “Watching the rainfall at our corporate headquarters in Edison and the daily news reports, we knew to stay on our toes in anticipation of the call from The Red Cross. My cell phone never left my side.”
The Culinary Response Team is always looking for other businesses or government agencies in need of nutritional support services. For more information contact Jim Corrigan at 732-225-0009 or jimc@merrimakers.com.
For over 35 years, Merri-Makers Caterers have been committed to providing impeccable service to their clients. Their team of professionally-trained chefs and experienced event planners pride themselves on their attention to detail and fresh ideas to make your event truly memorable. Visit us on the web at http://www.merrimakerscatering.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MerriMakersCatering, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MerriMakers.