Fighting Hunger: Here's How You Can Help

KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS HELP?
 

If you or someone you know are or may be at risk of food insecurity, Table to Table delivers fresh, nutritious food to daycare centers, shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations that assist those in need in the communities they serve. For an updated list, visit tabletotable.org/table-talk/who-receives.

 
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP
 

Table to Table’s website invites visitors to “Come join us at our table and learn how we’re changing lives every day.” There are many ways you can support the nonprofit organization in its mission to serve the hungry in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Here are several:

DONATE: According to Table to Table’s Julie Kinner, every dollar donated provides enough fresh food for 10 healthy meals. That is 10 cents per meal. Every pound of food Table to Table receives is donated. Government funding is not asked for, nor accepted, according to Table to Table. The organization’s website makes it easy to donate online or by mail.

You can also consider organizing a group fundraising campaign. “Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch” is a grassroots initiative where individuals donate the equivalent of one day’s lunch money to help Table to Table fight hunger. If you are working virtually from home, host or join a fundraiser online.

In addition to donating directly, you and your company can provide corporate sponsorship, implement workplace giving campaigns, support matching gifts, sponsor an event, sponsor a refrigerated truck, or even hold a fresh food drive. Emily Force, the organization’s director of marketing (eforce@tabletotable.org), can help get you started.

SPREAD THE WORD: Via your social media accounts, tell your friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn about Table to Table, or other like-minded hunger relief organizations, and how they help feed New Jersey

STAY INFORMED: Subscribe to Table to Table’s e-newsletter at tabletotable.org/news/e-blast

EVENTS: Funds raised through events provide substantial financial support. In September, Table to Table held their annual Chefs Gala virtually. Twelve days later, their fifth annual Golf Classic took place while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

VOLUNTEER: Hunger relief organizations at every level rely heavily on volunteer support. Thanks to volunteers donating their time, expenses are kept down and resources are maximized. Interested? Contact Table to Table’s Jan Cohen.

Other Ways to Help? In addition to donating time and money, reach out to Table to Table or other like-minded organizations to see what materials they may need or what type of food they’ll accept. Shop on Amazon? You can support Table to Table with your Amazon purchases.

TABLE TO TABLE
611 Route 46 W., Suite 240
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
201.444.5500
tabletotable.org

 
HELPING the HUNGRY
 

Nearly 1 million New Jerseyans face hunger every day. A wide network of organizations and agencies around the state are stepping up to feed fellow New Jerseyans in need. Here’s a partial list:

NORTH JERSEY
 

Center for Food Action
192 W. Demarest Ave.
Englewood, NJ 07631
201.569.1804
cfanj.org
Emergency food program

Community FoodBank of New Jersey (Headquarters)
31 Evans Terminal
Hillside, NJ 07205
908.355.3663
cfbnj.org
Food distribution center, food rescue; has a branch in Egg Harbor Township (see South Jersey section)

CUMAC/ECHO, Inc.
223 Ellison St.
Paterson, NJ 07505
973.742.5518
cumac.org
Food depot, marketplace

Interfaith Food Pantry and Resource Center
2 Executive Dr.
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
973.538.8049
mcifp.org
Food pantry

MEND (Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity)
Locations in Essex County
862.250.5216
mendnj.org
Fresh food hub, food pantry

Rahway Food for Friends
1221 New Brunswick Ave.
Rahway, NJ 07065
732.381.7201
rahwayfoodforfriendsnj.org
Food pantry, food distribution

St. John’s Soup Kitchen
22 Mulberry St.
Newark, NJ 07102
973.623.0822
njsk.org
Soup kitchen

Table to Table
611 Route 46 W., Suite 240
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
201.444.5500
tabletotable.org
Food rescue

CENTRAL JERSEY
 

Elijah’s Promise
18 Neilson Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732.545.9002
elijahspromise.org
Community kitchen serves healthy, free meals to all.

Fulfill (formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties)
3300 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753
732.918.2600
fulfillnj.org
Food bank

Hands of Hope for the Community
St. James Episcopal Church
2136 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08818
732.236.3330
handsofhopenj.org
Food pantry

Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry, Inc.
42 Elizabeth St.
Keyport, NJ 0735
732.888.1986
keyportfoodpantry.org
Food pantry

Mercer Street Friends
824 Silvia St.
Ewing, NJ 08628
609.396.1506
mercerstreetfriends.org
Community organization with a food bank

PENNSYLVANIA
 

Philabundance
3616 S. Galloway St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
philabundance.org
215.339.0900
Community kitchens serving four South New Jersey counties in addition to the greater Philadelphia region

SOUTH JERSEY
 

Atlantic City Rescue Mission
2009 Bacharach Blvd.
Atlantic City, NJ 08404
acrescuemission.org
609.345.5517
Community organization with a soup kitchen

Cape May Community Food Closet
500 Hughes St.
Cape May, NJ 08204
609.600.7715
cmfoodcloset.org
Food delivery, food distribution

The Cathedral Kitchen
1514 Federal St.
Camden, NJ 08105
cathedralkitchen.org
856.964.6771
Soup kitchen, pop-up café

Community FoodBank of New Jersey
6735 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
908.355.3663
cfbnj.org/south-jersey-programs
Food distribution center, food pantries; headquarters in Hillside (see North Jersey section)

Food Bank of South Jersey
1501 John Tipton Blvd.
Pennsauken, NJ 08110
856.662.4884
foodbanksj.org
Food bank

TOUCH New Jersey
549 State St.
Camden, NJ 08102
856.803.3030
touchnewjersey.org
Pop-up food distribution network