PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Members of the Picatinny Toastmasters Club, along with their families, recently volunteered at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, dedicating their time to sorting and packing food with other volunteers.
The group prepared more than 2,000 pounds of pasta for distribution, and according to the Food Bank representative overseeing the activity, this contribution will help feed approximately 10,000 people across New Jersey.
More than 47 million people in the United States are food insecure. Nearly 1.1 million of them, including more than 270,000 children, reside in New Jersey.
“When we learned that our efforts would help put food on the table for approximately 10,000 people, my heart was filled with gratitude,” said Meryland Cuevas-Canela, Picatinny Toastmasters Public Relations Officer. “Knowing that simply showing up and giving a few hours of our time could have such a meaningful impact on our community is truly amazing. Volunteer work has the power to change lives, and I look forward to doing more of it with our Picatinny Toastmasters Club.”
Toastmasters is a worldwide non-profit educational organization. Its primary mission is to help individuals build confidence and improve their public speaking, communication, and leadership skills.
The international Toastmasters organization started in 1905 when Bloomington, Illinois, YMCA Education Director Ralph C. Smedley saw a need for enhancing public speaking skills, and organizes a Toastmasters Club, referencing the role of a 'toastmaster' at banquets. More than half a century later, the Picatinny Toastmaster Club officially chartered on January 1, 1963.
While the Picatinny Toastmasters Club typically meets twice a month to hone their public speaking and leadership skills, members overwhelmingly agreed that they plan to make volunteering in the community a recurring event.
“As the new public relations officer for the Picatinny Toastmasters Club, one of my goals is to create more opportunities for community involvement, so I’m definitely looking forward to organizing additional activities like this throughout the year,” said Cuevas-Canela.
Rather than attending a traditional lecture-style class, Toastmaster members learn by doing in a highly supportive, self-paced, and collaborative environment.
Picatinny Toastmasters is open to all Picatinny military, military families, retirees, civilians and contractors as well as local off-site community members.
Meetings are offered both in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams, providing flexible attendance options for all.
Those interested in improving their public speaking, communication, and leadership skills are encouraged to join.
More information is available on the Picatinny Toastmasters website: [https://3547.toastmastersclubs.org/](https://usg01.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2F3547.toastmastersclubs.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ceric.w.kowal.civ%40army.mil%7C53645cdaf13f4c81559108deffa75c79%7Cfae6d70f954b481192b60530d6f84c43%7C0%7C0%7C639229291518095757%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fefMJvL7f3VdffJnAy4ql%2B8QVDR%2FmGCp4JwN69fjmZU%3D&reserved=0).
For membership inquiries, please contact Carlos Quispe at [vpm-3547@toastmastersclubs.org](mailto:vpm-3547@toastmastersclubs.org).
| Date Taken: |
08.26.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
08.26.2026 16:39 |
| Story ID: |
573290 |
| Location: |
PICATINNY ARSENAL, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: |
26 |
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This work, From podium to pantry: Picatinny Toastmasters tackle food insecurity with community service, by Eric Kowal, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
