Monmouth Co. Food Bank Pleads For County Funding In 2021

MONMOUTH COUNTY - Fulfill, a food bank based in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, is seeking $725,000 from Monmouth County’s allocation of the new federal aid package, noting it was left out of the county's CARES Act funding last spring.

But while Fulfill has fed 40 percent more individuals and costs have increased 250 percent, the organization hasn’t seen a portion of Monmouth County's federal stimulus funding. In 2020, Ocean County provided $355,258 in funding to the organization via the CARES Act. But when the food bank asked for a similar grant from Monmouth County, the request was denied.

Now, Fulfill is attempting to make sure it is not left out of the list of recipients for the latest federal stimulus package, President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan. The package lists Monmouth County alone as slated to receive $120 million in 2021.

In a March 17 letter addressed to the Monmouth County Commissioners from Fulfill President & CEO Kim Guadagno, the organization requesting a grant of $725,000 from the county to “allow us to continue to meet the needs of our hungry neighbors … into the future."

“Eighty-seven percent donor funded, Fulfill depends upon the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, and government,” Guadagno wrote. “Without this collective support, we could not meet the spike in demand and help ensure that no one goes to bed hungry.”

According to the letter, Fulfill has provided 3.3 million more meals to the food insecure in Monmouth County since the pandemic - at a cost of $4.7 million. The breakdown includes 1.1 million meals to Long Branch; 1.2 million to Asbury Park; 303,140 to Neptune and 460,443 to the county seat of Freehold Borough and Township.

In a statement responding to the plea, Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) announced his support for Fulfill and called on the Monmouth County Commissioners to provide the necessary funding to offset the cost of feeding food insecure Monmouth County residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Despite Monmouth County being one of the richest counties in New Jersey, we do have a significantly underserved population, specifically within our black and brown communities which we have seen through a number of studies conducted over this past year,” said Gopal, whose jurisdiction includes Asbury Park, Red Bank, Neptune and Long Branch.

“I am concerned to hear that Monmouth County has not issued funding to Fulfil even though they have continuously helped our food insecure residents through these challenging times. Systematically, communities of color have consistently faced difficulties due to unjust policies. I urge Monmouth County to provide funding for the organization that provides services to a community that needs the help the most.”