'It's heartbreaking': Piscataway fire devastates FISH food and clothing pantry

PISCATAWAY – FISH, a longtime community food pantry and clothing distribution center, was destroyed by fire Wednesday morning on what would have been a regular distribution day for those in need.

"It's heartbreaking," said Mayor Brian C. Wahler from the scene at 456 New Market Road. "This is a great loss to the community. Approximately 2,500 people are signed up with FISH, but in any given week, there's approximately 60 families that stop by for food or clothing on a consistent basis. It's also a loss to all the volunteers that work here − they put their love, their inner light inside to help everybody else. This is a shock. It looks like an apparent loss."

The first call came in around 7:15 a.m., Wahler said.

"All fire companies were turned out and they started pouring water on it within 15 minutes," he said.

The fire was knocked down around 10:45 a.m., Wahler said, and fire personnel − all volunteers − were doing overhaul on the inside. The origin of the fire is undetermined at this time, the mayor said.

Arbor Hose Company 1, Holmes Marshall Fire Department, New Market Fire Department, North Stelton Volunteer Fire Company, Possumtown Volunteer Fire Company and River Road Fire Company responded along with mutual aid from Middlesex, Dunellen, East Franklin, Bound Brook and Iselin. Also at the scene were the township's Department of Public Works, Piscataway and Middlesex County offices of emergency management, Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Emergency Medical Services, PSE&G, township police and the county mobile rehabilitation services.

The building department and fire inspectors were expected to begin the investigation to determine the origin of the fire, Wahler said. There were no injuries reported as the structure was not occupied and no first responders were injured.

The building, which is more 100 years old, is owned by the First Baptist Church of New Market Road and has been leased to FISH for more than 50 years.

Founded in 1969, FISH serves those in need from the township as well as Dunellen, Bound Brook, Middlesex, South Plainfield, Edison, Highland Park and Green Brook. Its focus is to respond with compassion to the needs of the poor, elderly, homeless and those who "fall between the cracks" of public assistance.

Last year, there was a marked increase in families and individuals coming to the food pantry and clothing distribution center, Executive Director Lisa Couch said in November.

More: FISH faces 'overwhelming' community need

Wahler said the township is working with FISH, the county and other food pantries in Central Jersey to "to figure out how the breach can be filled."

"We're doing our best to avoid being a terrible situation that's going to have more impacts on our community," Wahler said.

This is the second fire in Central Jersey this week affecting a community food pantry. On Sunday night, a fire at a strip mall on Old Route 22 in Clinton destroyed a Walgreen's and the Open Cupboard Food Pantry & Thrift Shop. The cause of that fire has yet to be determined.

With the help of the Community Food Bank of NJ, FISH will resume food distribution to registered clients beginning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday. Food will be distributed via a drive-thru process in the parking lot each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., weather permitting. Distribution will not take place any days with rain or snow.

FISH is not able to take material donations at this time but can accept monetary donations at fishdunellenarea.org/. A GoFundMe page also was created on Wednesday to help the organization. Financial support by check also can be made out to Fish, Inc. and mailed to: Treasurer, Fish, Inc. Dunellen Area, P.O. Box 8565, Piscataway, NJ 08855.

On Friday, FISH added it also is asking for supermarket gift cards (Stop & Shop, ShopRite, Aldi, SuperFood Fresh in Middlesex, Target, Walmart) for the families it serves. Gift cards can be mailed to their address or dropped off at food distributions Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the parking lot.

If you are interested in being contacted when the organization is able to again receive food and clothing donations, or if interested in physically volunteering, send an email with the words "PUT ME ON THE LIST" to fishfoodroom@yahoo.com and FISH will contact when the time is right. A message can also be left on the hot line at 732-356-0081.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Piscataway NJ fire devastates FISH food and clothing pantry