Dominic’s Pasta Party: Seven Years of Feeding the Community
BY ASHLEY WARD | For AC JosepH Media
VINELAND – Cumberland County Technical Education Center senior Dominic Mercado has turned an April birthday fundraiser born during the COVID-19 pandemic into an annual celebration.
Mercado’s seventh annual Dom’s Pasta Party has continued to have an impact in Vineland and Cumberland County. Mercado, who started the soup kitchen product fundraiser with the help of his older brother Sebastian as a middle schooler, and his family, reached new heights this month.
Since 2020, he has hosted this food drive for the Vineland Soup Kitchen, now Spirit and Truth Ministries, collecting pasta, sauce, and donations to help feed local families and individuals in need. The party’s reach and impact have grown each year.
Over the past seven years, the pasta party has raised more than $70,000 and collected over 10,000 pounds of food. This year alone, the event brought in nearly $11,000. Along with financial contributions, approximately 1,000 pounds of food were collected, showing continued strong support from local residents and organizations.
Mercado noted that while food donations have remained steady over the years, monetary donations through GoFundMe have increased, giving the soup kitchen flexibility to support those in need.
Several local organizations and schools played a major role in this year’s success, including Petway Elementary School Safety Patrol, Rossi Elementary School Ambassadors, Cumberland County Boys and Girls Club, and Leaders of Tomorrow Early Learning Academy.
Their involvement shows how younger students and community programs are stepping up to give back and support their local causes.
Since the event was held the day before Easter Sunday, the Easter Bunny made a special appearance to greet supporters. This created a fun, welcoming atmosphere, encouraging families and younger children to come out, participate, and engage with the cause.
As Mercado prepares to graduate, he has accepted an appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. While he will be away for the next four years, he remains hopeful about the pasta party’s future. Local schools, safety patrol groups, ambassador programs, and sports teams have already expressed interest in continuing the event during his absence.
Mercado stated, “We are definitely planning on supporting the Vineland Soup Kitchen no matter what it takes.”
Behind the scenes, Mercado credits much of the event’s success to teamwork, including his brother’s help. His brother has played a key role in managing social media, organizing content, and offering ideas that help improve the event each year. This collaboration has helped expand outreach and keep the event growing.
Mercado also recognized the support of this year’s major sponsors, including B & B Poultry, which provided mugs for volunteers and partners, and M3 Printing, which donated stickers for supporters. These contributions allowed Mercado to thank volunteers and donors while building a connection with his community through the event.
Dominic’s Pasta Party is a positive force for community engagement and support in Cumberland County. Year after year, this event brings residents and organizations together to fight hunger and help neighbors in need. With continued local commitment, the impact of Dominic’s Pasta Party is set to last well into the future, even as he moves on to his next opportunity.
Ashley Ward is a South Jersey freelance reporter. She is a student at Rowan College of South Jersey, where she is a member of the school’s golf team and helps with her family’s company Creative Content on Demand in Clayton. She can be reached at ashley.ward7251@gmail.com.
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