Coronavirus Increases Hunger: Find A Food Bank In Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — When you look around Morris County, it's easy to see the effects the coronavirus has had on our way of life. What's less visible is the number of people who are now worrying about having enough to eat.

Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year's end. That's 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic. For some, it’s a matter of running short on grocery money before the week is out and eating a lot of boxed pasta and rice dishes.

For others, food insecurity means real hunger.

In Morris County, about 5.3 percent, were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap” interactive study.

Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Morris County to 9.7 percent by the end of the year. An 83 percent jump.

Feeding America, whose 200 member food banks include Fulfill, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, which is headquartered in Neptune, reports both higher demand for services and more need for volunteer and donor support.

Some of the food pantries and other services available in Morris County are:

HOPE HOUSE A DIV OF CATHOLIC
Food Pantry
101-103 Bassett Highway
Dover, NJ
(973) 361-5555 x 3005

SALVATION ARMY - DOVER
Food Pantry
76 N. Bergen St.
(973) 366-0764 x 15

SALVATION ARMY - DOVER
Soup Kitchen
76 N. Bergen St
Dover, NJ
(973) 366-0764

FAITH KITCHEN
Soup Kitchen
123 E. Blackwell Street
Dover, NJ
(973) 366-2821

MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
Food Pantry
61 Richards Avenue
Dover, NJ
(973) 333-1137

WHARTON UNITED COMMUNITY
Food Pantry
20 Church Street
Wharton, NJ
(201) 650-9160

HOMELESS SOLUTIONS INC.
Shelter
540 W. Hanover Ave
Morristown, NJ
(973) 993-0833 x13

INTERFAITH @ OTA- MORRISTOWN
Food Pantry
340 West Hanover Ave
Morristown, NJ
908-451-3820

INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY @DOVER
Food Pantry
2 Executive Drive
Morris Plains, NJ
(973) 538-8049

INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY @ MORRIS PLAINS
Food Pantry
2 Executive Drive
Morris Plains, NJ
(973) 538-8049

INTERFAITH @ SPEEDWELL
Food Pantry
190 Speedwell Ave.
Morristown, NJ
908-451-3820

TABLE OF HOPE
Food Pantry
59 Spring Street
Morristown, NJ
(973) 998-9330

TABLE OF HOPE
Soup Kitchen
59 Spring Street
Morristown, NJ
(973) 998-9330

TABLE OF HOPE (Mobile Pantry)
Food Pantry
59 Spring Street
MORRISTOWN, NJ
(973) 998-9330

Nourish NJ
Soup Kitchen
36 South St
Morristown, NJ
(973) 267-0709

MARKET STREET MISSION
Soup Kitchen
9 Market St
Morristown, NJ
(973) 993-2875

ABUNDANT LIFE WORSHIP CENTER
Food Pantry
43 South Jefferson Rd.
Whippany, NJ
(973) 463-9455

MOUNT OLIVE PANTRY
Food Pantry
369 Sandshore Rd
Budd Lake, NJ
(908) 850-5477

THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH F.P.
Food Pantry
236 Washington St
Boonton, NJ
201-602-7062/ 973-493-8097

LOAVES & FISHES COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
Food Pantry
513 Birch St
BOONTON, NJ
(973) 335-8275

Butler Church of the Nazarene
Food Pantry
188-190 Kiel Ave.
Butler, NJ
862-274-2324

BUTLER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Food Pantry
5 Bartholdi Avenue
Butler, NJ
(973) 838-2026

RELATED: Millions Made Hungry During Pandemic Could Include Your Neighbor

Food insecurity is often thought of as a "poor people's problem," but not all people living in poverty are food insecure, and not all food-insecure people live in poverty. Food insecurity is a complex issue sandwiched in with other systemic challenges, including poverty, low wages, affordable housing shortages, chronic and acute health problems, high medical costs and social isolation.

"Our members are reporting that many of the people they’re serving have never sought food assistance before," Kathryn Strickland, Feeding America’s chief network officer, told Patch. "Some people are reporting that people who formerly donated to food banks are now seeking assistance."

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, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will 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.