By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
It was a cold, rainy Friday afternoon. Cars of all models and sizes pulled up to the center and were greeted by friendly volunteers pushing carts through the puddles.
Radio crews from 103.7 WMGM FM set up microphones in the lobby, preparing for their 24-hour broadcast to raise money for the food bank.
Brad Preston, the director of community impact and innovation, greeted the guests with a warm smile. The mobile pantry had to be rescued in Rio Grande, so Preston was stretched a little thin that day.
The Community FoodBank in Egg Harbor Township serves thousands of people facing hunger across Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May counties.
“The need though, due to inflation and rising food prices, has increased by 500 percent,” said Preston. “This means we have less resources, but need to care for more neighbors, which has been difficult.”
The pantry relies heavily on donations from the USDA, the State of New Jersey, and corporate donations from big box stores like Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. Massive towers of boxes filled with bags of Takis snacks stood between the aisles of the warehouse, with each box being a little dented.
Volunteers sort through hefty donations and restock shelves in the pantry, separating them into categories such as frozen food, fresh produce, canned food, diapers/menstrual products, dairy and even baked goods. Prior to the pandemic, neighbors could browse similar to traditional grocery stores, but since 2020, volunteers have gathered groceries for them.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, specifically the Southern Branch in Egg Harbor Township, provides food, along with pantry and shelter partners between Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties.
Volunteers take that into consideration as they sort the incoming food donations. Preston says that trucks go out every day to deliver food to partner organizations.
“We take preference into consideration, especially if someone is gluten-free or vegetarian,” said Preston. “There have been cases where someone’s child is having a birthday or they have a pet rabbit. We try to save certain items for people in special circumstances.”
In the warehouse, pallets full of food are stacked from floor to ceiling (which is about 30 feet high). According to Preston, approximately 1.2 million pounds of food can fit in this space thanks to renovations made in 2020. Workers drive forklifts and organize donations with great care, taking note of expiration dates, popularity and space needed.
Along with the room-temperature goods, a massive walk-in refrigerator holds eggs, milk and other foods in a space the size of a Starbucks. A freezer of a slightly smaller size can be found across the warehouse, keeping frozen items at zero degrees constantly.
With the holidays quickly approaching, the Community FoodBank will give away thousands of turkeys, chickens or hams along with traditional side dishes. Preston reports that the food bank gives these meals in addition to typical allotments.
“People often ask why we do this, and it’s because everyone deserves dignity. Just because you experience food insecurity, doesn’t mean you should have as little as possible. Everyone deserves to enjoy Thanksgiving and celebrate coming together with loved ones over a delicious meal.”
This weekend (Nov. 19-20), The Community FoodBank will partner with nearby Target, ShopRite, Acme, and other grocery stores for a day-long turkey drive. If a customer earns a free turkey or has the means to purchase another, they can donate one to the food bank, ensuring that people in need will have a main course on Thanksgiving.
“This year we are paying 40 percent more for turkeys and 50 percent more for chickens due to inflation,” said Preston.
“More people experience hunger; more than we realize,” said Preston. “You could be doing everything right, like working full-time or living on a fixed income as a senior. And yet, hunger can affect anyone. We want to come alongside neighbors and support them.”
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Southern Branch, will donate 37,000 turkeys and chicken roasters across their network of partners and neighbors in need. Nineteen thousand holiday boxes filled with trimmings and sides will be distributed alongside the main courses.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the food bank. From the warehouse to filling carts to managing distribution, Preston said they would not be able to serve as many neighbors without extra help.
The food bank gets a boost in volunteers around the holiday season, but Preston reminds us that hunger is a year-round issue.
Prior to the pandemic, the Community FoodBank required a significant amount of paperwork before neighbors could receive food. After the pandemic hit, the organization reduced its requirement for identification, income data, and family status.
“It was just getting in the way of people getting help,” said Preston. “Everyone deserves food, even if they don’t have a valid ID or can’t navigate the massive administrative tasks.”
Giving back is one of the most important ways to support the food bank. Monetary gifts allow the food bank to support a staff and even hire more full-time workers to execute the vision of the organization. Food donations will be transferred straight to someone in need, providing them energy to live another day.
If you are experiencing hunger, you are not alone. Check out the Community FoodBank’s website and find help fast. Type in your zip code and the site will offer you options of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters near you. Go online to https://cfbnj.org/.
If you are looking to donate time or resources to the Community FoodBank, they would greatly appreciate your support. Visit the website and click the “Get Involved” tab. The link to the website is listed in the paragraph above.
Sarah Fertsch was born and raised in Egg Harbor Township, and holds a dual degree in public relations and political science. Prior to joining Shore Local full-time, she worked at a CSPAN affiliate, writing about Pennsylvania legislation. When she isn’t writing, Sarah enjoys painting, horseback riding, and Crossfit.
