TikTok sensation Tariq the Corn Kid helps food bank mark 30th anniversary
EAST BRUNSWICK - TikTok sensation Tariq the Corn Kid, a new Middlesex County resident, came to the township on Saturday to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of REPLENISH, Middlesex County’s food bank.
As part of the anniversary celebration at the Aldersgate Outreach Community Center on Ryders Lane, Tariq met with residents, sorted donations and distributed food to community members.
"My favorite thing today was helping a person shop," Tariq said. "I want to work with REPLENISH more in the future."
“I’m so excited to have such a smart and charitable young man move to Middlesex County, and the timing with REPLENISH’s 30th anniversary could not be better,” Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios said. “REPLENISH is an organization near and dear to my heart, so it means the world to me that Tariq would prioritize using his platform to help others in need.”
Since his rise to fame, Tariq has been involved in campaigns to raise awareness about hunger through programs like City Harvest's Share Lunch Fight Hunger campaign, becoming a brand ambassador for Green Giant and winning a Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award.
“It’s no surprise to see that Tariq moved here and immediately looked to use his platform to support local food distribution organizations,” Middlesex County Commissioner Claribel A. Azcona-Barber said. “REPLENISH is a lifeline for many in Middlesex County, by teaming up with Tariq, it is inspiring other young people to get involved.”
More: American Veterans Traveling Tribute coming to East Brunswick for Memorial Day
Established in 1994, REPLENISH aims to help achieve food security and offer access to nutritionally sufficient food and essential supplies for all Middlesex County residents, according to its website.
The program operates out of a 5,000-square-feet warehouse in East Brunswick and distributes food to more than 160 pantries. In 2023, REPLENISH distributed 5.2 million pounds of food, according to its website.
In honor of its 30th anniversary, REPLENISH is running the “REPLENISH 30 for 30 Challenge,” a quarterly food drive designed to increase awareness of food insecurity that asks groups to donate 30 items from REPLENISH’s list of high-demand foods and necessities once per quarter in May, July, and October. This food drive challenge is intended to bring awareness to food insecurity, a year-round issue, during months when donations may not be top-of-mind.
For more information on how to participate in the REPLENISH 30 for 30 Challenge, or to donate supplies or serve as a volunteer with REPLENISH, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/replenish.
REPLENISH also accepts monetary donations in the form of a check payable to Feeding Middlesex County that can be mailed to PO Box 781, Edison, NJ 08818 or online via their website feedingmiddlesexcounty.org.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: TikTok sensation Tariq the Corn Kid helps REPLENISH food bank mark anniversary
