Volunteers Fight Hunger with Fulfill on MLK Day of Service

Fulfill, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, welcomed nearly 100 volunteers from various community organizations to honor and celebrate the legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through meaningful acts of service on January 20, during the annual MLK Day of Service.

Volunteers gathered at Fulfill’s Neptune Headquarters to complete tasks to support Fulfill’s operations. In honor of the Rev. Dr. King’s legacy of advocacy, as well as service, volunteers penned letters to their representatives in Congress urging them to protect anti-hunger resources in upcoming budget and legislative debates. Teens and adults who volunteered then sorted and boxed food donations, a significant source of the food Fulfill supplies to area food pantries and soup kitchens. In this one day of service, volunteers prepared for distribution enough food for 10,984 meals.

Younger volunteers worked with Fulfill’s Garden Education team on several service-learning projects, learning about philanthropy, healthy eating and Fulfill’s garden programs.

“More than 100,000 Monmouth & Ocean County residents – a historic high – rely on us for the food on their tables every month, and we could not serve them without committed volunteers. In our busy lives, time is precious, and we’re grateful for our volunteers’ dedication to making an impact in their communities,” said Triada Stampas, President and CEO of Fulfill. “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned a nation that provides opportunity for all. Fulfill is dedicated to carrying his vision forward through both advocacy and service by working tirelessly to create a future that is free from hunger.”

Volunteer groups that participated included: Congregation Torat El - Jersey Shore Jewish Center, Jersey Shore Chapter - Jack and Jill of America Inc., Jersey Shore NJ Chapter of the Links, Inc. and Netflix.

Last year, more than 1,400 volunteers provided almost 35,000 hours of service to Fulfill. For more information about Fulfill and volunteer opportunities, visit https://fulfillnj.org/ways-to-help/volunteer/

About Fulfill
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Fulfill, the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, has been dedicated to addressing hunger in the Jersey Shore community since 1984. As an active member of Feeding America, Fulfill proudly works with a network of nearly 300 partners, including soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters to provide 1.2 million meals per month to area residents, families, children, seniors and veterans in need. Committed to more than just food distribution, Fulfill also offers connections to affordable healthcare options, Medicaid, SNAP and other services to help neighbors lead healthy and self-sufficient lives. To learn more or become involved, visit www.fulfillnj.org.