Two-Day “Pop Your Trunk” 4th of July Food Distributions
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Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Assist in Giving Out Food
Neptune, New Jersey, July 2, 2020 – “It is clear that not everyone has recovered from difficult times. Hunger still exists right here in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, as we saw today with the mile long line of cars. People waited hours for a few boxes of emergency and holiday food,” said Fulfill Food Bank’s Board Chair Lauren Holman.
During Fulfill’s two-day “Pop Your Trunk” 4th of July Food Distributions, 23,766 meals were distributed to 699 families to feed 7,960 people. On Thursday, July 1st, the distribution took place at Fulfill’s People’s Pantry at The B.E.A.T. Center on Hooper Avenue in Toms River. On Friday, July 2nd, the distribution took place at Fulfill’s main distribution center on Route 66 in Neptune.
Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy participated in the food distribution on Friday. The couple handed out fresh, Jersey corn on the cob to families in need and wished them a “Happy 4th of July” as they came through the drive-thru event. The Governor also thanked Fulfill staff and volunteers for their continued hard work and dedication to feed our hungry neighbors during the pandemic and beyond.
“We are so grateful to receive this visit from Governor Murphy and the First Lady. To know they support our mission to feed the hungry – right at the Jersey Shore where they live – means so much to us. From all of us at Fulfill, and the families, children, seniors, and veterans we serve, thank you!” added Holman.
Each family received an emergency meal box with enough food for a family of four for four days. They also received a special holiday meal box with ground beef, hot dogs, rolls, ketchup, mustard, baked beans, cutlery packets, and chips. Fresh Jersey corn, watermelon, and soda were also distributed to help make their Independence Day barbeques extra special.
A special thanks to our private donors and generous sponsors, which include Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru retailers in our community. Their financial contributions have made it possible for Fulfill to provide nourishing meals to our neighbors in need during this period of increased demand.
About Fulfill FoodBank
Pre-pandemic, Fulfill was feeding 136,000 people, including 50,000 children. Today, Fulfill is feeding 215,000 people, including 70,000 children. Fulfill has served 3.5 million more meals since the coronavirus crisis affected the Jersey Shore, and the demand for food has increased 40 percent.
Fulfill has been providing food for families at the Jersey Shore for more than thirty years. Fulfill made sure our neighbors had nourishment during economic storms, Superstorm Sandy, and now the pandemic. Fulfill feeds children, seniors, veterans, and the working poor. Fulfill supplies food to nearly three hundred feeding agencies including pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens. Fulfill also provides hot meals for children after school and sends food home for those same children over the weekend.
Fulfill has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for more than ten consecutive years. This distinction means Fulfill, a 501 (c)3 charitable organization, outperformed most charities in America in areas of efficiency, fiscal integrity, and effectiveness. In fact, 95 cents of every dollar donated to Fulfill goes directly to feeding the hungry in our community. Follow Fulfill on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and share our posts to help raise awareness about hunger. To donate or volunteer, go to fulfillnj.org.