Each September, nationwide efforts unite during Hunger Action Month to raise awareness and more importantly, to inspire action against hunger. Here in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the need could not be clearer. According to data from Feeding America, more than 1 million New Jerseyans face food insecurity, and over 100,000 of them live right here in our two counties.
That means people you interact with, and others you may not know but care deeply about: seniors on fixed incomes, families stretched thin by rising costs and veterans are all navigating impossible choices, such as whether to buy food or pay rent or see the doctor. Inflation, rising housing costs and cuts to the safety net are squeezing many.
At Fulfill, we are more than just a food bank. We distribute more than 1.3 million meals a month through a network of nearly 300 pantry partners. But our mission goes beyond meeting daily needs. It is about helping people build food security that lasts. That means supplying nutritious food, but also making sure people have access to resources, education and stable systems so they are not always living on the brink.
Here’s what community action looks like.
No one institution — or person — can solve hunger alone. This Hunger Action Month, we are calling on every part of our community to join in. Here is how you can help.
Volunteer: In 2024, Fulfill volunteers contributed 35,000 hours of work – packing, prepping, distributing, growing food and helping in many hands-on ways. Whether you are an individual, a family, a school or a business, there is a place where your time matters.
Donate: Every can, every fresh produce donation, every dollar counts. Donations enable us to purchase nutritious staples, scale up where need is rising and respond effectively.
Advocate: Programs like SNAP are lifelines for many, but they are often subject to policy changes that make them harder to access. Policymakers need to hear from the public – your voice matters. Write, call and speak up for funding anti-hunger programs.
Amplify: Share stories. Raise awareness. Talk with friends, neighbors and co-workers about hunger, not as a problem “over there,” but one that is right here in our communities.
And here’s the cost of inaction.
When we fail to act, the effects ripple and grow. Malnutrition can hurt children’s development. Seniors may skip meals and neglect other necessities. Health outcomes suffer. Communities lose productivity and potential. And the gap between “just getting by” and crisis widens.
Investing in hunger solutions is not charity alone – it is smart public policy, social justice and basic human decency. It affects the quality of life, economic stability and the dignity of every person in our communities.
That’s why Fulfill is making a call to our community.
To elected officials: Prioritize stable funding for food-assistance programs. Remove barriers that prevent people from accessing them.
To businesses: Partner with us through food drives, sponsorships and volunteer teams.
To faith groups, schools and civic organizations: Bring this message into your networks. To every resident: even a small act, like donating a bag of groceries or an hour of your time, moves the needle.
Hunger Action Month is more than a marker on the calendar – it is a reminder that food insecurity is not inevitable. Systems can be changed. We, as ordinary citizens coming together, can end hunger. At Fulfill, we believe in a future where no neighbor has to wonder where their next meal comes from, where food security is not just a goal, but a guarantee.
I ask you to please join us in this worthy endeavor. For more information on how to support Fulfill, click here. fulfillnj.org
Susan Kyrillos is the board chair at Fulfill, the food bank for Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
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