Trying to find the time to give back this holiday season? With so many great local organizations, it may be easier than you think. Check out these options right in your own backyard. Each one provides much more than just a meal to those in need.
Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Neptune
Fulfill, based in Neptune, moves 1 million pounds of food each month for families in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Fulfill feeds children, seniors, veterans, and the working poor. Fulfill serves pantries and shelters, provides hot meals for children after school, and sends food home for those same children over the weekend during the school year. Fulfill also provides additional services to help our neighbors improve their overall situation. Fulfill assists with connecting people to SNAP (food stamps) benefits, tax preparation, and job training in our culinary program.
Fulfill has just earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the tenth consecutive year. 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, 96 cents of every dollar donated to Fulfill goes directly to feeding the hungry in our community.
Follow Fulfill on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram and share our posts to help raise awareness about hunger. To donate or volunteer, go to www.fulfillnj.org
JBJ Soul Kitchen, Red Bank
JBJ Soul Kitchen is a non-profit community restaurant, run by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, that serves paying and in-need customers. A Community Restaurant is a place where individuals or families can come to eat a delicious farm-to-table meal in a warm, welcoming setting and meet our neighbors. There are no prices on our menu. If you are unable to pay the suggested donation, you may still enjoy a delicious meal.
We encourage our customers to effect change by making a suggested donation of $20 for their meal. Soul Kitchen offers a Pay It Forward Program where each additional $20 donation provides meals for those who are unable to donate. For those who are unable to make a donation for their meal, we invite you to come in, enjoy a meal and learn how you can be part of the JBJ Soul Kitchen community by volunteering. Please come to the
restaurant during our hours of operation or email us at info@jbjsoulkitchen.org. We will always have an opportunity open for you. For more information on the JBJ Soul Kitchen,
including volunteer opportunities, please visit www.jbjsoulkitchen.org
Lunch Break, Red Bank
In January 1983, 35 people gathered at the Friends Meeting House in Shrewsbury to discuss the issue of hunger in Monmouth County. They committed themselves to help the community members who find it difficult to provide the bare necessities for their families. Galvanized into action, the group (in which churches and businesses were represented) began to raise funds and recruit volunteers. In March 1983, Reverend Terence Rosheuvel provided the basement of the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Red Bank to serve hot lunches. In 1985, Lunch Break moved to the Masonic Temple on Bergen Place and expanded its services to include the provision of groceries to families.
Community demand quickly increased beyond the capacity of the Temple, and Lunch Break leaders began to investigate the construction of a permanent, independent facility.
In 1986, through combined efforts of many contributors and a large grant from the State of New Jersey, Lunch Break opened the doors to its current facility at 121 Drs. James Parker Boulevard in Red Bank. In 1992 Saint Leo’s started supplying bagged lunches on Saturday to be distributed to our clients. For 25 years Mrs. Norma Todd was the Executive Director and the heart and soul of Lunch Break. Mrs. Todd passed away in April 2008 leaving a legacy of love and determination as her banner. Shortly thereafter, Gwendolyn Love was hired as our new Executive Director. Along with her staff, Lunch Break is helped by over 2,000 annual volunteers, with approximately 70 volunteers serving in several capacities on a regular basis.
We continue to serve our community members in need to this day, with the same passion, dedication, and community support which is the foundation established by Mrs. Todd years ago. In recent years, several programs have been added to the Lunch Break roster of services such as the Children’s Cooking Class Program, Women’s Worth Mentoring Program, Men’s Mentorship Program and Life Skills Center for employment coaching along with the Saturday breakfast, which is sponsored by several area churches. Our vision is to lead the region as the comprehensive food, nutrition, and life skills resource for community members in need. To see how you can help, visit www.lunchbreak.org
