NEPTUNE – Area food pantries and several other agencies received good news recently with the announcement that Fulfill, formerly The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, would be awarding $271,000 in Fulfill Pandemic Relief Grants to 51 of its participating food pantries and other feeding agencies in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Fulfill CEO and President Kim Guadagno, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey, said the main purpose of the Fulfill Pandemic Relief Grants is to increase the capacity of food pantries and soup kitchens to serve more people through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
She added that in order to help meet the “exorbitant demand for food as many of our neighbors at the Jersey Shore struggle with unemployment and hard times, grant recipients will be able to expand hours and days of service.”
She said, “it is imperative that food pantries stay open and distribute food in local communities, so our neighbors won’t go to bed hungry.”
Feeding agencies within the Fulfill network were permitted to apply for up to a $10,000 grant. Agencies requested a variety of items including freezers, coolers, and shelving so they could distribute more food to people in need. Some also requested funding for food and other maintenance items to help sustain their agencies.
Fulfill Chairman of the Board Jeremy Grunin said, “the Executive Committee of Fulfill voted unanimously to provide the funds necessary for these food pantries in our distribution network to continue to operate in the face of the unprecedented need for food and stretch their capabilities.”
“We are here to feed our hungry neighbors, and these grants will help us expand our services,” Grunin added.
Fulfill will purchase all appliances and equipment to maximize purchasing power. Feeding agencies will receive checks for the balance of their awards.
The following Fulfill members will receive a Fulfill Pandemic Relief Grant in varying amounts:
- Allentown Food Pantry – Allentown
- Bethel Pantry – Asbury Park
- BPC Food Pantry – Red Bank
- Bradley Food Pantry – Bradley Beach
- By Faith Ministries Church of God – Lakewood
- Calico Cat Food Pantry – Middletown
- Christ Church Food Pantry – Howell
- Destiny Community Food Pantry – Brick
- Eatontown Food Pantry – Eatontown
- Faith Chapel Pantry – Union Beach
- First Assembly of God Toms River – Toms River
- Forest Glen – Lakewood
- FPC Food Pantry – Neptune
- Greater Emanuel Temple – Neptune
- Greater Tuckerton Food Pantry – Tuckerton
- Howell Food Pantry – Howell
- Island Heights Pantry – Island Heights
- Jackson Women of Today – Jackson
- Jersey Shore Dream Center – Asbury Park
- Jewish Family Services – Asbury Park
- Ken’s Kitchen – Manahawkin
- Lutheran Atonement Food Pantry – Asbury Park
- Matawan United Methodist Food Pantry – Matawan
- Meal at Noon – Long Branch
- New Hope Foundation – Marlboro
- Ocean’s Family Success Center – Asbury Park
- Ocean’s Harbor House – Toms River
- Osbornville Pantry – Brick
- Osbornville Soup Kitchen – Brick
- Park Plaza Apartments Pantry – Little Egg Harbor
- PCTR – The Hope Center – Toms River
- Rising Treetops at Oakhurst – Oakhurst
- SBH Food Pantry – Oakhurst
- Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park Food Pantry – Asbury Park
- Second Baptist Church of Toms River Food Pantry – Toms River
- Shore Vineyard – South Toms River
- Simon’s Soup Kitchen – Seaside Heights
- St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen – Asbury Park
- St. Brigid’s Pantry & Soup Kitchen – Long Branch
- St. Crispin Food Pantry – Red Bank
- St. Francis Food Pantry – Beach Haven
- St. Mary of the Lake – Lakewood
- St. Mary’s Food Pantry – Barnegat
- St. Paul’s Food Pantry – Brick
- St. Paul’s Food Pantry – Ocean Grove
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Food Pantry – Beachwood
- St. Peter Claver Pantry – Asbury Park
- St. Pius Food Pantry – Forked River
- Trinity Pantry & Soup Kitchen – Asbury Park
- Whiting Food Pantry – Whiting
- Zichron Shneur Food Pantry – Lakewood
Rev. Joanne Madden of Christ Church Food Pantry in Howell said, “the Christ Church Food Pantry is so grateful to Fulfill for awarding us the grant money for ‘a time such as this!’ This grant will enable us to expand our storage capacity allowing the pantry to open additional hours. This blessing couldn’t have come at a better time; the need is great!”
She added, “our team looks forward to meeting the needs of our community. Thank you Fulfill for making this assignment a little easier.”
“The Second Baptist Church of Toms River Food Pantry thanks Fulfill for the grant which will provide a large reach-in freezer,” said Rev. William Greene, Jr., Second Baptist Church of Toms River.
Rev. Greene added that “during the pandemic, we have increased the days and hours we are open. The freezer allows our food pantry to increase the amount and variety of frozen foods given to those affected by the pandemic and financial crisis. Fulfill has made it possible to help our community in this time of need.”
Fulfill has been providing food for families in Monmouth and Ocean Counties for more than 30 years. The agency has provided food and comfort during economic storms, Superstorm Sandy, and now during the current pandemic.
During the pandemic, the demand for food has already grown 40% and Fulfill has served an additional 870,000 meals to people in need. Volunteers expect the demand to grow as the unemployed run out of paychecks, incentives, and savings.
Follow Fulfill on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and share our posts to help raise awareness about hunger. To donate or volunteer, visit fulfillnj.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
