Want to make a donation? Find a Pantry Near You

For help, call:

Are other people in your network going hungry?

Most likely, it is.

The Food Bank of South Jersey reported serving about 160,000 South Jersey residents a month in 2023, a telling increase from a 112,000-person average last year. According to the food bank, more pounds of food will also be distributed in 2023 than in the last two years.

This follows a national trend of need for food resources.

A USDA report released in October found that in 2022, 17 million U. S. families were food insecure, an increase of 3. 5 million families from 2021.

Sarah F. Geiger, SJFB’s director of systems and services, says the existing food demand is higher than the numbers the organization has observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The magnitude of the lack of trust in food is what she calls an “unacceptable reality. “

“It can be any of us,” Geiger said, emphasizing that food insecurity is all around. “It’s in everybody’s neighborhood.”

Looking for help, or do you have resources on your desk that they’re willing to share?

See below for donation methods, resources, and a list of food pantries and distribution sites in the South Jersey area.

Can’t make it to a drop-off site? Some food banks also accept financial donations to aid in their efforts, and volunteers are encouraged to donate their time.

Geiger says donations of “food, friends, or dollars” are welcome.

Donate:

According to Geiger, monetary donations are the best option for those looking to help neighbors in need. Because food banks often buy in bulk, the value of your donation is able to stretch, and $1 can equate to three meals for a person in need.

To donate to FBSJ, visit foodbanksj.org.

The Community Food Bank of South Jersey also accepts donations to serve communities throughout the Garden State.

According to CFBNJ, 33 million Americans are food insecure, and 725,000 of them reside in New Jersey.

To donate to CFBNJ, their online page cfbnj. org.

Volunteering your time:

If you have free time during the holiday season, contact a pantry near you to volunteer to help.

FBSJ plays a volunteer role for on-site food packaging, off-site distributions, and other scheduling tasks.

To volunteer at FBSJ, foodbanksj. org.

Note: Times vary; Some options may require identification or proof of income.

SVDP – Holy Eucharist Conference, Tabernacle; 609-268-0005

Jacob’s Chapel AME Church, Mt. Laurel; 856-235-7900

BFCJN Community Assistance Food Pantry, Egg Harbor Township; 908-838-4981

Friends of Jean Webster (Sister Jean’s), Atlantic City

Cultivating the Church, Voorhees; 856-429-6633

Hope UM Church, Voorhees; 856-751-4673

Church of the Sacred Heart, Camden; 856-966-6700

More: Are those leftovers still good? What to know about food safety

Cape May Community Food Closet, Cape May; 609-600-7715

Ocean City Community Food Cabinet, Ocean City; 609-525-9288

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry, Bridgeton; 856-451-3233

Help and Hope Food Closet, Millville; 856-293-4357

Higher Places Ministries Food Pantry, Vineland; 856-839-2376

The Pantry Pitman, Pitman; 856-589-8313

North Baptist Church, Woodbury; 856-845-8433

Mickey Bowman Food Pantry, Salem; 856-803-0780

Kaitlyn McCormick writes about South Jersey web trends and news for the Courier Post, Daily Journal, and Burlington County Times. If you have a story to tell, email kmccormick@gannett. com. And subscribe to stay up to date with the news you need.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: How to fight against food insecurity in South Jersey

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