Grant funds distributed to fight hunger in Burlington County, NJ

From Camden and Cherry Hill to Trenton and the Jersey Shore, what should WHYY News cover about New Jersey life? Let us know.

In one part of South Jersey, authorities are stepping up their efforts to combat hunger and food shortages.

This week, Burlington County Commissioners awarded $290,000 in grants to six nonprofit food assistance organizations.

County Commissioner Felicia Hopson said the county began the monthly food distribution program more than four years ago when the COVID pandemic hit, but even after the health emergency ended, the need for help remained.

“We had some money left over from the American Rescue Plan Act and decided to create these grants specifically to support these organizations,” she said. Grant recipients include the Food Bank of South Jersey, Burlington Township Food Pantry, Jewish Family and Children's Services, Virtua Eat Well Food Farmacy, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Oaks Integrated Care.

“Food insecurity just isn't going away. I wish we could see light at the end of the tunnel,” said Fred Wasiak, president and CEO of the Food Bank of South Jersey.

The organization received $75,000 for its mobile school food distribution sites throughout South Jersey.

Wasiak said the need for food assistance has nearly doubled in recent years in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties.

He said several factors, including inflation and New Jersey's high housing costs, are driving the increases and affecting people in rural, suburban and urban communities. He said he expects his organization to provide more than 22 million pounds of food this year.