Asbury Park, New Jersey, January 22, 2020 – “You get to have a full meal. Not everyone gets that every day. I do fortunately, but not everyone here does,” said Patricia Hynosk, resident of Asbury Tower, an affordable senior housing building along the ocean in Asbury Park.
Hynosk was among the fifty residents of Asbury Tower to enjoy a “home” cooked meal prepared by Chef Ray Cattley of Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, thanks to the generous sponsorship by Monmouth Reform Temple in Tinton Falls.
“Even if it’s one night, we can let you know you matter. We’re obligated to do so. It’s all about returning to human,” said Rabbi Marc Aaron Kline of Monmouth Reform Temple. Members of his synagogue also volunteered to serve the meals.
Maryanne Colman, a 16-year resident of Asbury Tower, said she especially loved the mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes blend in the meal which also included ham, green beans, and carrots. Colman added that the dinner was a real treat, “It’s a blessing. It’s a lovely meal. It’s a kindness for us really.”
“Many of our residents must decide… do I fill a prescription? Or, do I buy a can of soup? This partnership with Fulfill helps to meet a significant need for our most vulnerable seniors, and it is greatly appreciated,” said Anthony Argondizza, President and CEO of Springpoint, the parent company of Asbury Tower. Residents must be 62 or over and fill low-income requirements for housing in the building.
“Feeding those in need is what we do at Fulfill. In fact, we feed 136,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, and serving seniors is among our priorities. In the last six months alone, we have served more than 2,500 seniors at 27 locations through our mobile pantry and feeding programs,” said Fulfill CEO and President Kim Guadagno, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey.
Specifically, Fulfill served Christmas meals to 365 seniors at the Neptune Senior Center in December. Fulfill also provided 850 emergency disaster relief meals last summer to Neptune Township seniors left without power after a powerful storm.
