On World Kindness Day, Close The Meal Gap In Hackettstown

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — We’ve probably never needed World Kindness Day, which is observed Friday, more in Hackettstown 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 Warren County Before the pandemic threw millions of Americans into unemployment, 8.2 percent of residents were considered food insecure. The continuing economic fallout from the health pandemic has swollen that number to 12.6 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 the area are:

Vienna Community Center Food Bank
Food bank
Hackettstown, NJ
(908) 637-4474

Food Distribution Center - Knowlton UMC food pantry
Columbia, NJ
(908) 496-4313

St Luke's Episcopal Church
Episcopal church
Phillipsburg, NJ
(908) 859-1479

Belvidere United Methodist Church
Methodist church
Belvidere, NJ
(908) 475-4065

First Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian church
Washington, NJ
(908) 689-2547

River of Life Presbyterian
Presbyterian church
Phillipsburg, NJ
(908) 213-1377

Community Outreach
Social services organization
Phillipsburg, NJ
(908) 859-0044

Norwescap HeadStart & Early HeadStart
Social services organization
Phillipsburg, NJ
(908) 213-3422

St Joseph Food Pantry
Food bank
Newton, NJ
(973) 919-8827

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.