Somerset County Food Bank Sees 166% Increase In Demand, Fundraiser Launched To Help Hungry

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Despite Somerset County's rank among the wealthiest communities in the U.S., hunger remains a harsh reality for thousands of local families, and "it will only get worse," said Steve Katz, Executive Director of The Food Bank Network of Somerset County.

Katz said the number of clients visiting the 501(c)3 nonprofit food bank at 7E Easy St. in Bridgewater continues to grow.

To put it in perspective, in 2021, the food bank had 12,000 client visits. In 2023, that number jumped to 27,000 client visits. In 2024, the food bank saw more than 32,000 visits. This marks a 166 percent increase from 2021 to 2024.

That is an average of about 1,800 to 1,900 households per month, or about 8,000 to 9,000 people, since the food bank allows two visits a month, according to Katz.

"And we're expecting to blow through that number this year. And then, who knows in 2026 and 2027 because that's when the actual changes to [Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits] and custom Medicaid and other programs are really going to be felt," said Katz to Patch.

On Monday, the Trump Administration announced it will partially fund SNAP benefits through November, after two federal judges ordered the administration to continue the program’s funding.

SNAP, which provides food assistance to more than 827,000 New Jerseyans and around one in eight people nationwide, was set to pause this past Saturday amid the government shutdown, which just hit day 34 on Monday.

Additionally, Katz said the food bank's Backpack Program, which provides weekend meals to preschool- and elementary-age kids, is up to about 1,900 kids across 29 schools in Somerset County.

"That's up from 2021, when we had 600 kids in 11 schools," said Katz, who said the number is likely to go up by another 100 kids in Bernardsville.

Katz said the Food Bank is trying to get the message out that food insecurity is hitting all towns in Somerset County.

"We have a lot of clients and a lot of demand from kind of the usual suspects in downtown South Bound Brook, North Plainfield, Manville, and Raritan. But we just started the backpack program in Basking Ridge, where we've been quite active the last couple of years. In Warren and Bernardsville, too," said Katz. "Even in the towns in the county that are considered to be pretty affluent, there are absolutely pockets of food insecurity."

Fundraiser

To help keep up with the demand, the Food Bank Network of Somerset County is hosting its 2025 Fall Harvest Fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 13 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Bridgewater Manor.

The event will help the food bank to raise the significant funds they need to continue to provide quality food and essential human needs to those in the community of Somerset County who are in need, now and into 2026.

The Fall Harvest Fundraiser will feature a special performance by Suri Marrero, a rising Broadway star, actress, singer, and dancer who was born and raised in Bridgewater.

Suri made her Broadway debut at just eight years old as the youngest Young Nala in The Lion King, and later stepped into the role of Young Elsa in Frozen at the St. James Theater. She’s also appeared on screen in John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (Netflix), Sesame Street (HBO/PBS), and Helpsters (Apple TV+), and in numerous commercials and voiceover roles.

For more information on the Fall Harvest Fundraiser, visit secure.qgiv.com/for/2025fallharvestgathering.

For more information on the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, to volunteer, or to donate, visit somersetfoodbank.org or follow instagram.com/somersetfoodbank or facebook.com/FBNSC1982.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.