LINWOOD — Central United Methodist Church of Linwood is looking for players and sponsors who love golf and want to support the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
Central United Methodist is presenting The 2026 FoodBank Open on Sept. 24 at Harbor Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township, with all net proceeds going to the FoodBank.
“The church has worked with the FoodBank for a number of years and we found that they’re extremely efficient in dealing with food-insecure families,” said Mike Smith, tournament chairman for the church. “Their local food bank deals primarily with Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties.
“I’m not sure how many thousand families there are that are deemed food insecure, but because of the federal cutbacks in funding, they really are in need of help,” Smith said. “And the state of New Jersey is not capable of replacing that kind of funding.”
Smith said Central United Methodist has had golf fundraisers before to support the church, but this year wants the focus to be on the food bank. They hope to raise $20,000. By early June, they already had raised about $10,000.
“We’re extremely grateful when we find partners, whether nonprofit or corporate, that are willing to take on our mission and our cause and fundraise on our behalf,” said Torrina Bennett, director of external affairs for the Community FoodBank. “Every dollar that’s donated to the food bank, through our buying power, we’re able to provide free meals to neighbors in need.”
The food bank puts the money to good and efficient use, Smith said, and with its purchasing power is able to provide three meals for every dollar. That would equal 60,000 meals for families in need courtesy of the tournament.
The church is seeking both players and sponsors, with a big focus right now on players.
The cost is $175, which includes lunch and dinner, prizes and the opportunity to play the beautiful course at Harbor Pines in September, one of the nicest times at the Jersey shore to be outdoors.
If the church gets 100 players signed up by Aug. 14, the tournament gets full use of the facility without having to share with retail players. Sponsors get a full deduction on their contribution and golfers can deduct part of their fee because it is a 501(c)(3) organization.
“The food bank has extremely capable people, they’re caring people,” Smith said.
The tournament
— 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24;
— Harbor Pines Golf Club, Egg Harbor Township;
— Full use of practice facilities;
— 18 holes and GPS golf cart;
— Lunch and dinner;
— Gift bag;
— Chances to win awards and prizes;
— Schedule: 11:30 a.m. practice range, chipping and putting; noon, registration and lunch; 12:30 p.m., shotgun start; 5:30 p.m. dinner and awards.
— Cost, $175 per player; $50 for dinner guest only.
— Sponsorships include named sponsor, $10,000; corporate championship sponsor, $5,000; corporate cares sponsor, $1,000; hole sponsorship, $250.
— Checks payable to Central United Methodist Church, 5 Marvin Ave., Linwood, NJ 08221.
— To register online, go to https://linwoodcentral.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3596729
For more information, contact Mike Smith at (609) 423-3207 or 43mikesmith43@gmail.com.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
