Byram middle school student collects feminine care products for women in need

Middle school student Rylee Petrucelli recently donated hundreds of packages of feminine care products to the food pantry at Project Self-Sufficiency.

The items will be distributed to local women in need through the agency’s food distribution program, The Food Project: Nourishing Our Neighbors, which has grown exponentially during the past year.

Rylee appealed to her school community in Byram, her lacrosse team members, and her social media followers to raise hundreds of dollars toward the purchase of the feminine care products. Items poured in after she added the drive to a wish list on Amazon.

“I’m really happy with the way it turned out,” said Rylee, who plans to expand her efforts at Project Self-Sufficiency and in her community. “I want this to be more than just a one-time thing.”

Project Self-Sufficiency offers free food and limited personal care products to Sussex and Warren County residents, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Patrons need not be agency participants.

“The demand for nutritious food and personal care products by the vulnerable members of our community has increased exponentially during this public health crisis,” said Project Self-Sufficiency executive director Deborah Berry-Toon. “We are delighted that young people like Rylee Petrucelli have stepped forward to help. We applaud her creativity and enthusiasm, and we are looking forward to being involved with her next initiative.”

The Food Project at Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill St. in Newton. For more information or to make a donation, call 973-940-3500 or visit projectselfsufficiency.org.