At Fulfill, we understand that ending hunger in our communities is a complex challenge. It takes a total approach to providing the resources people need to become financially sound and self-sufficient.
This past year, we provided over 14 million meals through our network of nearly 300 food pantries and soup kitchens.
But our fight against hunger goes beyond food distribution and includes a full suite of service programs designed to get our neighbors in need back on their feet for good.
Providing Food
Many of our neighbors still go hungry every day. That’s why our primary mission remains providing food for those in need in our community. Fulfill collects enough food to provide over 13 million meals each year. This food is distributed through our network of partner agencies, over 300 food pantries and soup kitchens operating in our communities.
Fulfill understands the role food plays in leading a healthy life, so we work hard to provide our neighbors with the most nutritious food possible. Our nutritional team categorizes our food with a nutrition rating, so our partner agencies understand the nutritional value of the food they distribute to their community.
Fulfill delivers monthly 30-pound boxes of food for very low-income seniors. This food is provided by the USDA’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
To receive this food, seniors must have an income of under 130% of the poverty level – less than $1580 per month. For a couple, the gross monthly income must be less than $2137.
Fulfill currently serves over 360 seniors at 28 low-income sites in Monmouth & Ocean Counties. Food is delivered to these sites to pre-registered seniors every month.
Kids’ Feeding Programs
Nearly 40,000 of our children receive food from Fulfill each year.
Healthy nutrition is especially important for growing kids because it supports their physical development as well as their emotional well-being and intellectual development.
At Fulfill, we take a comprehensive approach to meeting the nutritional needs of children through multiple kid’s feeding programs. It’s not just about providing food for children who are hungry, it’s about continually seeking better ways to keep healthy food on the table.
When children are in school, they get at least one nutritious meal a day through the School Lunch Program. But weekends and holidays can be a tough time for kids without enough food at home. In households where children must take turns eating meals – or even go a day without a meal – they return to school hungry on Monday.
The Backpack Program feeds more than 760 chronically hungry school children in 29 local schools by providing them with a backpack of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food. Backpacks are usually filled on Fridays or before school vacations.
Students in our Culinary Training Program work beside FoodBank chefs to prepare an average 240 daily hot meals for children at after-school programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Asbury Park and Red Bank and through Ocean County YMCA.
For at-risk children, a hot meal and receiving homework help in a safe and nurturing environment can result in improved concentration and study habits, better health, greater
self-esteem and academic achievement.
During the summer when school is out, children do not have access to school lunch and backpack programs. Without access to these critical nutrition programs, summer can be a season of hunger for children from low-income families.
The Summer Food Service program provides free breakfasts and lunches to low-income children attending summer recreational programs. More than 700 vulnerable children participating in recreational programs receive nutritious meals daily throughout the summer months.
FIND SUMMER MEALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Additional site at the Salvation Army Ocean County Citadel in Toms River. Must be enrolled in program. For more information call 732-270-8393
Mobile Pantries
The Fulfill Mobile Pantries distribute food in locations that are not well served by food pantries. Our neighbors in need of food can go to these sites to receive non-perishable food as well as fresh produce and baked goods. The mobile pantries operate at several low-income and other locations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Culinary Training
Our onsite Culinary Arts Training Program helps adults in need of permanent employment get the skills they need for better paying jobs. The program helps men and women become self sufficient through:
Graduates also receive help obtaining and keeping jobs in our shore area hospitality industry. The program is free of charge for qualified applicants and is supported through private grant funding. Classes are held at Fulfill at The B.E.A.T. Center in Toms River. New classes are scheduled throughout the year.
Contact Susan Ralph for more information:
sralph@fulfillnj.org
732-731-1403
Tax Refund Referrals
FULFILL WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERING VITA TAX PREPARATION SERVICES
BELOW ARE SITES THAT WILL CONDUCT ONGOING FREE TAX PREPARATION IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL
IRS:
https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/ or call 800-906-9887
Tax Filer Resources – Campaign for Working Families:
cwfphilly.org or call 215-454-6483
Tax Preparation – United Way of NNJ – Unitedwaynnj.org
WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE LOCATIONS OFFERING THESE SERVICES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE
SNAP Enrollment Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people get through some rough patches in life by providing financial benefits each month that can be used to buy food.
Contact us and we can answer your questions, see if you may be eligible, explain the process and help you apply immediately.
Cupones de alimento: ¿Es usted eligible?Para mas informacion contáctenos.
If you’d like, you can apply for the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program online.
There are income requirements as well as other eligibility requirements. Contact us for more information
Affordable Healthcare
Health coverage protects families against very high expenses if they get sick or hurt. In fact, 40% of people who need additional food each month also have significant unpaid medical or hospital bills. Open enrollment for Affordable Healthcare Insurance is now year-round.
If you need help, trained and certified Health Care Navigators here at Fulfill help uninsured individuals and families apply for insurance that meets their needs and help with financial assistance.
Contact us for more information:
More Hunger Fighting Programs
The Financial Success Center provides Monmouth and Ocean County residents with comprehensive resources under one roof to help them move from financial difficulty to economic well being. Services are FREE and include:
The Center is a partnership between Fulfill Monmouth & Ocean, Child Care Resources of Monmouth County, Monmouth County Workforce Investment Board, Navicore Solutions and United Way of Monmouth County.
The Center is located at the Freehold Raceway Mall in the Meridian Community Resource Centers outside of Macy’s on the first floor of the mall.
Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00am – 7:00pm and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
Contact us for more information:
info@uwfinancialsuccess.org
732-414-6745
Fulfill distributes fresh produce to our neighbors in need each year, all grown in our own volunteer garden!
Do you have a green thumb? Would you like to learn more about gardening? From spring through fall, Fulfill welcomes volunteers to help grow and harvest vegetables in our ½ acre garden, located at our Neptune facility.
Contact us for more information:
volunteer@fulfillnj.org
732-918-2600
