At the height of need during the COVID-19 lockdown, the network, led by the Food Bank of South Jersey, served about 95,000 people per month.

Today – and since the end of last year – the number of people receiving help from the organization and its partners each month is around 170,000.

“It’s not slowing down,” Fred Wasiak, president and CEO of the food bank, told New Jersey 101.5. “It’s tough times and it’s becoming unsustainable … to keep up with this demand.”

Demand for food pantry assistance has skyrocketed across the Garden State as families struggle to keep up with rising prices for their everyday necessities.

Between 2019 and 2023, the Consumer Price Index for all food items increased 25%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Inflation has slowed, but prices remain at levels that can be unaffordable for families, even those with two incomes.

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Many New Jersey families are turning to food pantries for help for the first time in their history.

“There’s absolutely no shame in this – we don’t want anyone not knowing where the next meal is coming from for them or their children,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “They’re just struggling to make it to the next paycheck.”

And every year in New Jersey, the need increases during the summer – students are no longer entitled to one or two meals a day, as they would be during the school year.

“And we’re also seeing donations go down,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s just not as front and center as it is during the holidays.”

Food pantries and soup kitchens typically have set hours for distribution. Facilities may prefer to accommodate appointments or learn more about a family during the first visit, but they don’t turn anyone away, McCarthy said.

Those who want to help organizations that feed others can donate food, money or their time. Cash donations are more valuable than food donations because food banks have more purchasing power than a typical consumer.

In Monmouth and Ocean counties, Fulfill’s current list of most needed items includes groceries such as canned tuna, soups, cereals, canned vegetables and cooking oils.

Those in need can visit a food bank’s website and enter their zip code to get a list of nearby options.

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