On World Kindness Day, Close The Meal Gap In Chatham

Chatham NJ

13 November, 2020

12:00 PM

Description

CHATHAM, NJ — We've probably never needed World Kindness Day, which is observed Friday, more in Chatham 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 Morris County Before the pandemic threw millions of Americans into unemployment, 5.3 percent of residents were considered food insecure. The continuing economic fallout from the health pandemic has swollen that number to 9.5 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 Morris County are: HOPE HOUSE A DIV OF CATHOLICFood Pantry101-103 Bassett HighwayDover, NJ(973) 361-5555 x 3005 SALVATION ARMY - DOVERFood Pantry76 N. Bergen St.(973) 366-0764 x 15 SALVATION ARMY - DOVERSoup Kitchen76 N. Bergen StDover, NJ(973) 366-0764 FAITH KITCHENSoup Kitchen123 E. Blackwell StreetDover, NJ(973) 366-2821 MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCHFood Pantry61 Richards AvenueDover, NJ(973) 333-1137 WHARTON UNITED COMMUNITYFood Pantry20 Church StreetWharton, NJ(201) 650-9160 HOMELESS SOLUTIONS INC.Shelter540 W. Hanover AveMorristown, NJ(973) 993-0833 x13 INTERFAITH @ OTA- MORRISTOWNFood Pantry340 West Hanover AveMorristown, NJ908-451-3820 INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY @DOVERFood Pantry2 Executive DriveMorris Plains, NJ(973) 538-8049 INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY @ MORRIS PLAINSFood Pantry2 Executive DriveMorris Plains, NJ(973) 538-8049 INTERFAITH @ SPEEDWELLFood Pantry190 Speedwell Ave.Morristown, NJ908-451-3820 TABLE OF HOPEFood Pantry59 Spring StreetMorristown, NJ(973) 998-9330 TABLE OF HOPESoup Kitchen59 Spring StreetMorristown, NJ(973) 998-9330 TABLE OF HOPE (Mobile Pantry)Food Pantry59 Spring StreetMORRISTOWN, NJ(973) 998-9330 Nourish NJSoup Kitchen36 South StMorristown, NJ(973) 267-0709 MARKET STREET MISSIONSoup Kitchen9 Market StMorristown, NJ(973) 993-2875 ABUNDANT LIFE WORSHIP CENTERFood Pantry43 South Jefferson Rd.Whippany, NJ(973) 463-9455 MOUNT OLIVE PANTRY Food Pantry369 Sandshore RdBudd Lake, NJ(908) 850-5477 THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH F.P.Food Pantry236 Washington StBoonton, NJ201-602-7062/ 973-493-8097 LOAVES & FISHES COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRYFood Pantry513 Birch StBOONTON, NJ(973) 335-8275 Butler Church of the NazareneFood Pantry188-190 Kiel Ave.Butler, NJ862-274-2324 BUTLER UNITED METHODIST CHURCHFood Pantry5 Bartholdi AvenueButler, NJ(973) 838-2026 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.