Camden County Delivers More Than 160K Meals To Seniors In Need

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — More than 160,500 meals have been delivered to seniors since the Camden County Division of Senior and Disabled Services expanded its meal delivery program in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, officials announced.

In total, more than 3,000 individual seniors have received nutritious meals as they navigate the unprecedented crisis represented by coronavirus. From June 4 to June 10, the Division delivered more than 18,000 meals countywide. Over this same span, the Division delivered an average of 3,672 meals per day.

“There are going to be long-term ramifications of this pandemic and the public health actions that were necessary to prevent an unconscionable loss of life,” Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young said. “The Freeholder Board and the Department of Health are determined to not let a hunger crisis become one of those ramifications. Three months into this crisis, we are still encouraging residents to contact us if they need nutritional assistance. The men and women at the Department of Health, Parks, Buildings and Ops, and all the other county employees who have stepped up are continuing to make these deliveries and to ensure the health and well-being of our residents. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their incredible public service during this unprecedented time.”

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Meals have been delivered to seniors in 36 municipalities. On May 22, 4,950 meals were delivered to those facing food insecurity, the most of any day since the beginning of the current public health crisis. May 4 is the second highest single-day total, when 4,358 meals were delivered. On March 30, more than 4,000 meals were delivered.

The Division of Senior and Disabled Services is delivering meals to new program participants. Anyone who knows a senior in need of meal assistance should call 856-374-MEAL or 856-858-3220 to make arrangements.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know