The First Presbyterian Church of Matawan and the Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Aberdeen have sponsored a community food pantry for over 15 years. Our goal is to share God’s love and blessings with our neighbors in need. We are endorsed by the Mission Commission of FPC Matawan, supported by the personnel in the church office and “staffed†by passionate volunteers from both churches. We currently serve about 65 households consisting of senior citizens, single adults, families, and couples expecting children. Clients are referred to our pantry through social service agencies, area churches, the local WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program, the Monmouth and Ocean County Food Bank and word of mouth. Applicants are asked to fill out an informational form including name, address and the number and ages of adults and children in the household. No financial information is requested since there is no “approval†process; all are welcome. We encourage clients to come to our monthly distribution for pick-up, but our volunteers also deliver regularly to the homebound and as needed in crisis situations. Food donations are from a variety of sources: FPC Matawan and COG congregations and Sunday School classes, Presbyterian Nursery School families, scouting and school drives, annual post office collection, local CROP walk participation and Temple Shalom of Aberdeen high holy days donations. The occasional monetary contributions from individuals are used to purchase staples for the pantry during supermarket sales or as they become available at reduced cost through the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties in Neptune. Volunteer opportunities include sorting and bagging groceries, arranging a food drive to benefit the pantry or helping out during a distribution. Youth groups are welcome to assist, especially during the busy holiday season. For more information contact the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan at 732-566-2663.
Services provided :
- food pantry
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (732) 566-2663 to book your appointment.
Address :
201 Broad St,
Matawan, NJ 07747.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Matawan
Help Residents of Counties:
- Monmouth
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (732) 566-2663 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
- Asbury Park
- Avenel
- Bayonne
- Belmar
- Bernardsville
- Bound Brook
- Caldwell
- Carlstadt
- Carteret
- Chatham
- Colonia
- Dayton
- Dunellen
- East Orange
- East Rutherford
- Eatontown
- Elizabeth
- Fair Haven
- Fairview
- Fanwood
- Florham Park
- Fords
- Franklin Park
- Freehold
- Glen Ridge
- Harrison
- Highland Park
- Hightstown
- Hoboken
- Iselin
- Jersey City
- Keansburg
- Kearny
- Kendall Park
- Kenilworth
- Keyport
- Lincroft
- Linden
- Little Silver
- Long Branch
- Madison
- Manasquan
- Manville
- Martinsville
- Matawan
- Metuchen
- Middlesex
- Milltown
- Morganville
- Mountainside
- New Brunswick
- New Providence
- Newark
- North Arlington
- Oceanport
- Perth Amboy
- Plainfield
- Princeton
- Rahway
- Raritan
- Red Bank
- Roseland
- Roselle
- Roselle Park
- Rumson
- Rutherford
- Sayreville
- Secaucus
- Short Hills
- Somerset
- Somerville
- South Amboy
- South Plainfield
- South River
- Spotswood
- Summit
- Trenton
- Union City
- Watchung
- West Long Branch
- West New York
- Westfield
Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry
Show up early.
This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.
You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.
Remember all documentation.
Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.
This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.
It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.
Use several food banks.
Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.
For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.
Eligible for other programs?
Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.
They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
Ask about extras.
If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.
Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.
Go on different days of the week.
Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.
Be polite to workers.
Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.
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 pantry?
Specifically, food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. Who can go to food pantry?
At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.
4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?
A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.
5. How does a food pantry work?
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.