5M More Pounds Of Food Distributed In South Jersey Amid Pandemic

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The Food Bank of South Jersey distributed more than 22.5 million pounds of food to those in need in 2020, more than 7 million pounds more than the previous year, according to the nonprofit organization.

This is the equivalent of 18.7 million meals to a population that saw food insecurity increase by 61,000 South Jersey residents since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Feeding America.

In 2019, the Food Bank of South Jersey said it distributed 15 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 13 million meals.

Of these 61,000 additional people experiencing the threat of hunger in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties, more than 26,650 are children, according to Feeding America estimates.

The Food Bank of South Jersey said it distributed nearly 1 million children’s meals in 2020, an increase of more than 700,000 from the previous year. According to Feeding America estimate, one in seven people living in South Jersey is food insecure.

“During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic altered so much of our everyday lives – how we interact, how we travel, how we learn, how we work. For many members of our community, the impact has been severe. Unemployment. Homelessness. Financial crisis. Health emergencies. An alarming rise in food insecurity – with tens of thousands facing life-altering hunger for the first time,” Food Bank of South Jersey President and CEO Fred C. Wasiak said.

Food Bank of South Jersey food distributions through 2020 welcomed more than 40 percent of food participants new to receiving food from a charitable organization.

As the organization increased its capacity to serve swelling numbers by expanding its partner network to over 210 local food distribution partner agencies, it restructured its in-person Health & Wellness programming to bring nutrition awareness and healthy eating education to South Jersey – virtually.

During 2020, 409 nutrition education programs were completed and 872 educational sessions delivered.

“The crisis of food insecurity in South Jersey changed dramatically during 2020, creating a year of hunger in our region and our nation,” Wasiak said. “As 2021 takes shape, with an organizational vision to continue growing neighborhood reach and infusing South Jersey with sustainable health and wellness support, resources and strategies, the Food Bank of South Jersey commits to fighting amplified hunger and, in time, rebuild food security for many.”

The Food Bank of South Jersey remained in operation continuously throughout the coronavirus pandemic, expanding and strengthening its capacity to distribute record high volumes of food throughout Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties.

With a focus on low-to-no contact food distributions, including emergency food box drive-up food distributions, the Food Bank responded to a 200 percent increase in food insecurity throughout our four-county region.

“Our ability to feed our food-insecure neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic would have been impossible without the immense help and support of compassionate donors, partners, supporters, volunteers and friends,” Wasiak said. “As our work continues to feed the lines of people waiting for food this year, we remain committed to feed the line, sustain the line and shorten the line in our mission to bring forward a New Jersey that is food secure for all.”

Throughout 2020, volunteers donated nearly 12,000 hours of service to supporting Food Bank of South Jersey in its mission to fight hunger in the Garden State.

“Together, we faced the greatest food-insecurity and unemployment crisis to hit our nation in a century,” Wasiak said. “Thanks to our remarkable volunteers, donors, partners, supporters and friends we were able to increase our capacity, strengthen our reach and feed South Jersey during what was a brutal year for many. Thanks so our many supporters, we remained resilient for South Jersey.”

For more information on the Food Bank of South Jersey, visit www.foodbanksj.org.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimated that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans would not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.