For the past few years, corned beef and pastrami have been engaged in an epic battle between Peking Duck and General Tso to win Teaneck’s Helping Hands Food Pantry annual pre-Passover food collection challenge. We are excited to announce the entry of Gumbo and Smoked Ribs to the competition this year.

Each year, customers of Noah’s Ark and Chopstix face off against each other in the contest to have their favorite food establishment declared the winner of the collection challenge, and now Smokey Joe’s BBQ has entered the fray.

“For over ten years, Noah’s Ark has been sponsoring with Chopstix, the largest annual food drive for the Teaneck Food Pantry, I am happy to welcome any of my neighbors to help this important cause” said Noam Sokolow, owner of Noah’s Ark Deli & Shelly’s Dairy Restaurant.

Joe Godin, owner of Smokey Joe’s BBQ has been donating kosher fresh turkeys to the Teaneck Food Pantry’s annual Thanksgiving drive that feeds over 150 families for thanksgiving and is now happy to take part in the pre-Passover food drive.

“Last year’s challenge realized over 400 bags of cereal, pancake mix, flour, tuna, ketchup, diapers and toiletries for the Food Pantry, just as supplies were low and they were most in need,” stated Elie Y. Katz of Chopstix. “Noam helps store the food and delivers the food bags to the pantry with his staff and catering truck.”

This year’s contest runs from March 9, 2015 through April 1, 2015. Donations of unopened, non-refrigerated food, and toiletries will be accepted and greatly appreciated at the following Teaneck locations: Chopstix: 172 West Englewood Avenue, Noah’s Ark: 493 Cedar Lane, Shelly’s Dairy Restaurant: 482 Cedar Lane Teaneck and Smokey Joe’s BBQ: 496 Cedar Lane.

This is a contest where everyone wins! The Teaneck Helping Hands Food Pantry receives desperately needed food and donors can clear their pantries while helping their neighbors. Last year, Noah’s Ark won the contest. This year, Smokey Joe’s is looking to take the title.