In the last 24 hours, several food pantries and soup kitchens have closed due to a lack of volunteers and fear of the coronavirus spreading, but the 136,000 people served by Fulfill, formerly the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, still need to eat…and we expect the number to grow. To help meet the demand for food with thousands of meals no longer being prepared at these locations, Fulfill, the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, and local restaurants are partnering to distribute food to people in need during this health crisis. Local restaurants will box single meals and Fulfill will pick them up and pay the restaurants a $5 per meal stipend. Fulfill when then distribute the meals through our network.
“The Jersey Shore has always taken care of its own. We did it after Sandy, and we will do it again. We are glad to be part of the solution during these uncertain times, but we need the public’s help. We are 87% funded through private donations and we expect the demand to grow exponentially. If you can, please make a donation at fulfillnj.org,” said Kim Guadagno, Fulfill CEO and President and former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.
“We approached Fulfill about a partnership because our restaurants are hurting. This will keep at least some income coming in for them and do a good public service. The process will keep restaurant employees working, limit the spread of the virus, and most importantly, serve those in need,” said Marilou Halvorsen, President, New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
McLoone’s Restaurants, The Turning Point, and Chefs International are among the businesses at the Jersey Shore that will be participating.
“McLoone’s Restaurants are ready to do what’s necessary to help serve our hungry neighbors. These will be challenging times for all, but we are committed to our employees and the community,” said Tim McLoone, Founder and President of McLoone’s Restaurants. McLoone’s Restaurants has 12 locations, 7 of them are in Monmouth County, with well over one thousand employees out of season.