At a time when local food pantries are seeing unprecedented demand, the next generation of leaders in Monmouth and Ocean Counties has stepped up to the plate. Fulfill officially announced the results of its 19th Annual “Students Change Hunger” (SCH) campaign during a virtual awards ceremony on March 18, revealing a massive community impact.
The friendly but fierce competition saw 25 local schools rally together to collect 27,592 pounds of food and $4,677 in direct donations. When combined with corporate sponsorships, the effort provided more than 85,000 meals for families, seniors, and children facing food insecurity in the region.
While every participating school contributed to the mission, three institutions stood out for their extraordinary mobilization efforts. Fulfill announced the 2025–2026 winners as:
- First Place: Deal School
- Second Place: Ranney School
- Third Place: Millstone Middle School
In addition to plaques and community-wide recognition, the top three schools will be rewarded with a special ice cream truck celebration on their campuses in the coming weeks. Several other schools were inducted into the “Pound Club” for exceeding collection benchmarks of 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 pounds.
The campaign’s success was bolstered by 11 corporate sponsors, led by program creators Press Communications. Corporate contributions alone totaled $16,143, which Fulfill converts into approximately 48,000 meals through its wholesale distribution network.
Supporting sponsors included regional staples such as A.J. Perri, New Jersey American Water, Nissan City of Red Bank and Bar Anticipation, among others.
“This campaign shows us what’s possible when young people come together to care for their community,” Triada Stampas, president and CEO of Fulfill said. “Every pound of food collected and every dollar raised matters.”
Since its inception nearly 20 years ago, Students Change Hunger has evolved from a simple holiday drive into a sophisticated statewide initiative. Beyond the physical donations, the program serves as a civics lesson for Jersey Shore students.
“Our students are not just collecting food. They’re building awareness, compassion, and a stronger community,” Valerie Mahon, community engagement specialist at Fulfill said.
As food insecurity remains a critical issue in Central Jersey, Fulfill continues to rely on these youth-driven service projects to bridge the gap for families who depend on their services.
