Important Facts About Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is defined as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. In other words, food insecurity exists when you don’t have enough money to buy the food you need. The USDA estimates that in 2019, over 700,000 people in New Jersey were food insecure. Of them, nearly 200,000 were children. Parents skip meals so that they can feed their children. Seniors must choose between food and medicine. Students have to decide between eating and their education. Federal assistance is limited and doesn’t cover the cost of needed items like diapers. However, hunger is solvable if we work together.
Our Free MARKet
Fisherman’s Mark Free MARKet offers a variety of healthy food items and personal hygiene products to our clients. Much of our food pantry stock comes from generous donors like you.
Businesses, individuals, schools, churches and groups can all host successful food drives. You’ll find the steps to take below, or download our Toolkit here. Please let us know how we can support you in your efforts. We are here to help!
Make your drive a success
plan
share
collect
donate
Determine which items you’ll be asking for
Decide who you’ll contact by email and which social media and community websites you’ll use
Choose your drop off location (church, school, home, community location) and start and end dates
Announce your drive via email, social media, community calendars, websites, etc.
Call your friends, relatives and colleagues and recruit their help and donations
Leave flyers with supportive businesses and organizations
Bring crates, bags, etc. for storage of donated items
Store donations until they have all been collected, or you can deliver them to the food pantry as they come in
Track items as they come in and make a list of donors who may want a receipt for tax purposes
Pack up your items and deliver them to the free MARKet
Unload the donated items with the help of our staff and volunteers
Feel good knowing that you made a difference and are helping where help is needed!
Download our Food Drive Toolkit here.
Your donation is tax-deductible
Fisherman’s Mark is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax-deductible. We can provide a receipt for donations for your records.
Our Supporters Rock!
Thank you for considering what it takes to lead a drive. If you have questions you’d like to discuss before you make up your mind, call our administrative office. We are here to help in any way we can!
