On World Kindness Day, Close The Meal Gap In Morris Twp., Plains

We’ve probably never needed World Kindness Day, which is observed Friday, more in Morris Township and Morris Plains than we do in 2020. It’s been tough on multiple levels, from the inconvenience caused by coronavirus social distancing to real economic hurt among some of your neighbors who lie awake at night worrying about how they’re going to feed themselves and their families.

They could use our help on World Kindness Day and in the months to come. It’s as simple as supporting Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the country, which estimates food insecurity could swell to 50 million Americans before 2020 is over.

Feeding America serves 200 member food banks that serve and supply 60,000 food pantries, kitchens and meal programs in the area and elsewhere around the country.

Food insecurity isn’t a new problem in Morris County Before the pandemic threw millions of Americans into unemployment, 5.3 percent of residents were considered food insecure. The continuing economic fallout from the health pandemic has swollen that number to 9.5 percent who are on the brink of hunger.

You can help through food drives or by adopting a local family. But to spread your donation further, consider making a tax-deductible donation to Feeding America. With its power to buy groceries in bulk, Feeding America can provide 10 meals for every $1 donated.

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

How To Help

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 50 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.