Goal to Help Feeding Agencies Distribute More Food to Meet Growing Demand
Neptune, New Jersey, May 15, 2020 – Fulfill, formerly The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, announced today that it has awarded $271,000 in Fulfill Pandemic Relief Grants to 51 of its participating food pantries and other feeding agencies in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
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.
“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. It is imperative that food pantries stay open and distribute food in local communities, so our neighbors won’t go to bed hungry,” said Fulfill CEO and President Kim Guadagno, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.
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.
“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,” said Fulfill Chairman of the Board Jeremy Grunin.
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
“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! Our team looks forward to meeting the needs of our community. Thank you Fulfill for making this assignment a little easier,” said Rev. Joanne Madden, Christ Church Food Pantry in Howell.
“Faith Chapel Pantry is so thankful for the grant that we received from Fulfill for a refrigerator/freezer. This will enable us to increase the amount of food we receive to continue to increase the number of clients we serve. We thank each and everyone at Fulfill for all their dedication and hard work at this time,” said Ruth Allen, Faith Chapel Pantry in Union Beach.
“The Second Baptist Church of Toms River Food Pantry thanks Fulfill for the grant which will provide a large reach-in freezer. 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,” said Rev. William Greene, Jr., Second Baptist Church of Toms River.