Program Continues to Blossom
Restaurant Owners, Soup Kitchens, and Governor Murphy Commend Ambitious Economic And Humanitarian Aid Initiative
Press Release 10/22/21
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ — Nearly two years into the pandemic, restaurant patronage is down, but local restaurants partnering with Soup Kitchen 411 continue to bank much-needed revenue, while feeding their communities. This week, Soup Kitchen 411’s flagship program, FeedNJ has exceeded 300,000 meals purchased from local restaurants and served at soup kitchens, food pantries, houses of worship and community events in over 40 towns and cities.
This means a huge injection of revenue into local restaurants to partially offset the losses of Spring and Winter 2020, and brace for possible losses during Winter 2021—though FeedNJ will remain a loyal customer to its 75+ restaurant partners.
“When FeedNJ calls us to pre-order 300, 400, 500 meals at a time, that can make up for a huge chunk in the deficit of the past 19 months. FeedNJ’s per meal price of $10 is more than enough to cover the ingredients and labor costs, and we are honored to have our meals served to people who need them,” said Doug Schneider, owner of Tavern on George in New Brunswick, a frequent partner which often delivers meals to Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick during regularly scheduled Monday and Wednesday meal services for 500 clients.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity for many in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “I’m proud of the incredible work done by organizations like Soup Kitchen 411 to combat hunger in our state,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Soup Kitchen 411 has just hit the milestone of 300,000 meals provided free-of-charge across New Jersey, all the while supporting local restaurants. This milestone serves as an astounding reminder of the tireless work of Soup Kitchen 411 and the impact of our Sustain and Serve program.”
Soup kitchen staffs appreciate the assist, which allows them to meal-prep and clean during the days catered orders of 75-1,500 meals from Soup Kitchen 411 feed their clients.
“Receiving meals from Soup Kitchen 411 has been a godsend, the meals we get are great, nutritious meals and they help us out a heck of a lot. They’ve been wonderful, not one hiccup with meals from SK411, everything is always right on time,” said Tyrone Burr, Director of Culinary Operations, Lunch Break in Long Branch. “We have a number of outreach programs, feeding homebound people who can’t physically make it to Lunch Break, and they love getting local restaurant meals bought by Soup Kitchen 411 just as much as the people who can pick them up at Lunch Break.”
Soup Kitchen 411’s work, along with the similarly mission-oriented work of Asbury Park Dinner Table was honored last Wednesday night at a gala hosted by the Monmouth County Democratic Committee. But FeedNJ hosts events with apolitical groups as well as Democrats and Republicans.
“It’s about the work of feeding New Jerseyans. Hunger doesn’t discriminate based on part status, so neither does FeedNJ,” said Program Chairmen Kevin O’Toole and Craig Coughlin.
Soup Kitchen 411, which administers the FeedNJ program, employs four part-time staff and relies on individual and corporate donations to support overhead costs, including website maintenance, and social media that fosters mutual aid. Additional funding helps the organization maintain its Geolocation database connecting people to over 250 tri-state area soup kitchens and food pantries in their area, and funding to purchase meals.
To make a tax-deductible donation to Soup Kitchen 411 click here and follow @SoupKitchen411 on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
