The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on New Jersey Free Clinics, New Jersey Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Ocean County, New Jersey and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Ocean County, New Jersey serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Ocean County, New Jersey distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Ocean County, New Jersey and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Ocean County, New Jersey is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Ocean County, New Jersey
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Ocean County, New Jersey serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Lacey Township Food Bank
The Lacey Food Bank program is operated by volunteers and depends entirely on food and monetary donations from the public and the business community. With the exception of filing fees, telephone, equipment & minimal office supplies, over 90% of your donation goes to buy food and food coupons for the clients of the food bank. The server for this web site (Tripod) and maintenance of the website is donated. The food bank van was donated by Excelon and they donate money every January to cover insurance and maintenance. Effective as of January 17, 2002, the State of NJ registered us as a tax exempt non -profit corporation "Lacey Food Bank, Inc". Along with this we also were awarded tax exempt status with the IRS as provided for under Chapter 501(3) (c) of the tax code. This status was upgraded to a permanent basis as of April, 2007. Lacey Food Bank, Inc. has trustees: Cynthia Pieja, the proprietress of Cynthia Pieja, CPA; Attorney Arthur Stein; Ronald Tholen, local businessman (Lacey Marine) ; Pastor Terry Chapman, Forked River Presbyterian Church, Reverend Linda Applegate, Forked River United Methodist Church, Guy Burnett, (former Chairman of the Lacey Food Bank). Ms. Pieja is also the registered agent of the food bank, maintains the checking account, which requires two signatures, and files all necessary forms with the State of NJ and the IRS. She serves us as a committed volunteer. The Township of Lacey receives all donations made out to Lacey Food Bank Inc., acknowledges them to the donors, then turns them over to Ms. Pieja for deposit in the food bank checking acount. She then pays all bills and provides the storesmaster with a revolving petty cash fund for purchase of food. We are often asked why this program is not run by Lacey Township and why we do not serve those who live in other towns. The township discharges it's obligation to needy Lacey residents by paying per family a negotiated amount which is handled by the office of Ocean County Social Services. The food bank, as noted , is a volunteer driven effort to help keep food on the tables of the needy by giving them a safety package at the end of the month when money & food runs short. The township provides the program with space and the maintenance of that space, in the old MUA building on the corner of Station Dr. and Parker St. where the food is stored and the monthly distributions are held. The Administrator's office also provides us with the oversight service by receiving donations and sending acknowledgements. So we only serve clients who live within the township which is funding these services via our general tax base, minimal as it might be. Emergency requests however, are met at all times. Eligibility is based on income and varies according to the size of the family. Clients must be Lacey residents. PAAD card holders, WIC enrollees and food stamp recipients are automatically eligible as well as low income families. In order to participate, the client must go to the administrator's office, fill out an application and provide proof of residence and financial need. The program currently serves * 200+ needy families with 500 + people within those families. Many are elderly, living on minimal incomes, the rest are low-income families with children, or those who are disabled. Our distribution days are the third Thursday & Friday of each month. Each family receives two pre-packed bags of pantry food, a bag of refrigerated food (hotdogs, margarine, chicken, cheese, etc) and a $10.00 food certificate for ShopRite. They are then given two bags to "shop" at our take me tables which offer non mainstream foodstuffs, condiments, cleaning supplies and detergents, and paper goods not packed for the regular distribution. Larger size packages are given to big families with "your choice" items offered. This enables them to get through the rest of the month with some food on the table. Food is also available on an emergency basis for those in critical need at any time of the month, with those recipients calling the administrator's office 693-1100 ext. 2239 or the food bank office (242-2848). Food is collected during food drives conducted in conjunction with participating groups or organizations throughout the year. The Rotary Club for example, provides us with holiday dinner baskets including turkeys at Thanksgiving. An integral part of our food gathering is from the participation of the elementary and high schools. We could not survive with out them. We also have an ongoing food collection via the Food Bank pullout drawers, placed at the inside entrance to ShopRite. We are aligned with the Monmouth-Ocean Food Bank and purchase pantry food and government surplus at a low -cost or no- cost basis from them.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (609) 242-2848 to book your appointment.
Address :
102 Station Dr,
Forked River, NJ 08731.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Forked River
Help Residents of Counties:
- Ocean
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Ocean County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Ocean County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Ocean County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification