Coastal Conversations
Food insecurity affects neighbors across South Jersey, including children, students and families who may struggle to find their next meal. Addressing that need takes more than food. It takes people willing to bring a community together. As senior director of external affairs at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch, Torrina Bennett-Michael helps connect community support with efforts to fight hunger across the region. That spirit of giving will be on full display Oct. 28, when the South Jersey Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon brings supporters to The Carriage House in Galloway. Bennett-Michael shares what led her to this work, the needs facing local communities and how an afternoon together can inspire people to stay involved long after the event ends.
AS: What first drew you to community service, and what brought you to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey?
TBM: I’ve always viewed myself as a servant leader. Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to roles that allow me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Whether working in higher education to support students, serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or now working with neighbors experiencing food insecurity, the common thread has always been a commitment to helping others thrive. For me, this work is about more than providing food. It’s about dignity, equity, and ensuring that every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
AS: How does the CFBNJ reach neighbors across Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties?
TBM: The Community FoodBank of New Jersey reaches neighbors across Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties through a network of approximately 300 community partners, including local food pantries, soup kitchens, churches and other nonprofit organizations. Our work is truly collaborative. We may provide the food, but it’s the collective efforts of our partners, volunteers, donors and community supporters that allow us to reach so many neighbors and make a meaningful impact.
AS: What are you seeing right now in terms of local need, and what do you wish more people understood about hunger in our coastal communities?
TBM: What we’re seeing is that food insecurity affects people from all walks of life. It’s working families, seniors on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities and even people who have lived and worked in these communities for years. The cost of housing, utilities and other basic necessities can put tremendous pressure on household budgets, leaving families with difficult choices between buying groceries, paying rent, covering utility bills or filling a prescription. I wish more people understood how close to home hunger really is. I want people to understand that food insecurity is not a personal failing; it’s often the result of economic pressures that make it difficult for people to keep up.
AS: What is Women Fighting Hunger, and what makes this group’s approach to supporting the FoodBank meaningful to you?
TBM: Women Fighting Hunger is a volunteer group of passionate, community-minded women who are committed to supporting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and helping address food insecurity in South Jersey. These women are not simply writing a check or attending an event; they are investing their time, talent, relationships, and resources to make a difference in the lives of their neighbors.
AS: What can guests look forward to at the Oct. 28 luncheon at The Carriage House, and what do you hope they take away from the experience?
TBM: Guests can look forward to an inspiring afternoon of connection, conversation, and purpose. This year, we’re excited to welcome Priya Fielding-Singh, sociologist, researcher and author of “How the Other Half Eats.” My hope is that guests leave feeling both inspired and informed, with a deeper understanding of the realities of food insecurity and a renewed sense of what they can do to help.
AS: How does support from the luncheon translate into help for children, students and families here in South Jersey?
TBM: For children, access to nutritious food helps them focus, learn, and grow. For college students, it can mean being able to concentrate on their education without the constant stress of wondering where their next meal will come from. And for families, it can provide some breathing room in household budgets, allowing them to stretch their resources to cover other essential expenses.
AS: Is there a moment from your work that has stayed with you, one that captures the difference a caring community can make?
TBM: There’s one moment that has really stayed with me. A mother at our Community Assistance Pantry shared that her child’s birthday was approaching, but she didn’t have the means to purchase a birthday cake. It was something many of us might take for granted, but for her, it was one more thing she was struggling to provide for her child. Our team immediately sprang into action. Coincidentally, we had received a donation of bakery goods from a local store, and we were able to help make that birthday a little more special. That moment reminded me that our work is about so much more than putting food on the table.
AS: For someone inspired to get involved, how can they attend or support the luncheon and stay engaged in fighting hunger throughout the year?
TBM: There are so many ways to get involved, and we welcome anyone who shares our commitment to fighting hunger. Attending the Women Fighting Hunger luncheon on Oct. 28 at The Carriage House in Galloway is a wonderful place to start. Beyond the luncheon, there are opportunities to volunteer, donate, support food drives, and help spread awareness about hunger in South Jersey. Fighting hunger is a year-round commitment, and it takes all of us working together.
To learn more about the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, visit www.cfbnj.org.
Thank you, Torrina, for sharing your story and for your dedication to our neighbors. Your work reminds us that when a community comes together, it can bring comfort and hope to families across South Jersey.
Coastal Conversations highlights people in our community who are making a meaningful impact. If you know someone who would be a great fit for a future column, please contact me at ShoreCoastalConversations@gmail.com.
From the shore to your door, let’s keep the conversation going.
