Over $118,000 Donated to Fulfill to Support Hunger Relief Programs in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey

Stop & Shop today presented a check for more than $118,000 to Fulfill during a Wellpoint Mobile Pantry distribution in Lakewood, New Jersey. In addition to the donation, Stop & Shop associates volunteered on-site, helping distribute fresh, healthy food to local families.

The contribution reflects Stop & Shop’s ongoing commitment to fighting hunger across the communities it serves. As part of this effort, the company is supporting Fulfill’s work to address food insecurity throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The donation is also part of a broader $2 million initiative by Stop & Shop benefiting eight Feeding America partner food banks across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

Funding for the donation was raised through a combination of Stop & Shop’s in-store “Feed It Forward” campaign, which ran from May 1 through June 7, and support from the Stop & Shop Family Foundation. The campaign generated more than $43,000, while the Foundation contributed an additional $75,000. These funds will directly support Fulfill’s Mobile Pantry Program, with a particular focus on expanding access to kosher and Hispanic food options to better serve Lakewood’s diverse community.

Fulfill’s Mobile Pantry Program plays a critical role in reaching individuals and families who face barriers to accessing traditional food pantries, such as limited transportation or living in underserved areas. The program has grown significantly and now operates at 23 sites across Monmouth and Ocean Counties, serving more than 2,000 families each month. During the 2024–2025 fiscal year alone, Fulfill distributed 977,405 pounds of food through the program—the equivalent of more than 814,000 meals.

Demand for food assistance continues to rise across the region. According to Feeding America’s 2026 Map the Meal Gap report:

• 137,120 individuals in Fulfill’s service area are food insecure, including 39,390 children
• Food insecurity affects 1 in 9 residents or 11.4% in Ocean County
• In Monmouth County, the rate is 1 in 10 (9.7%)
• Food pantry visits average approximately 150,000 per month

Lakewood faces particularly acute challenges. As of 2022, approximately 17% of residents, more than 23,000 individuals, experience food insecurity, the highest concentration in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Additionally, 30% of Lakewood residents live below the poverty line, more than double the rate for the rest of Ocean County.

The township’s unique and rapidly growing population, including a large Orthodox Jewish community and a significant Latino population, creates additional considerations for food access. Kosher food requirements can significantly increase grocery costs, with some families spending up to $1,500 more annually. At the same time, Lakewood has been identified as a food desert, making it more difficult for low-income residents to access fresh, nutritious food.

“With food insecurity continuing to rise across Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the need for accessible, reliable food resources has never been greater,” said Daniel Wolk, External Communications & Community Relations Manager at Stop & Shop. “Through our Feed It Forward campaign and the support of the Stop & Shop Family Foundation, we’re proud to partner with Fulfill to strengthen their Mobile Pantry Program and expand access to nutritious, culturally relevant food options. Together, we’re helping ensure families in communities like Lakewood can access the food they need, closer to where they live.”

Each year, Fulfill relies on the generosity of organizations like Stop & Shop to serve neighbors facing hunger. Stop & Shop’s Meat the Needs Program, ‘Feed It Forward’ campaign, Annual Turkey Express Program, Stop & Shop Family Foundation donation, School Food Pantry Program, and direct support are a few of the many ways the company supports anti-hunger organizations in the communities it serves.

"Every neighbor deserves access to healthy food that meets their family's needs and respects their traditions,” said Triada Stampas, President and CEO of Fulfill. “This generous support from Stop & Shop helps us bring nutritious, culturally relevant food directly into communities where barriers to access remain too high. Together, we're making it easier for our neighbors to find the food they need, closer to home, and reminding them that they are seen, valued, and supported."

The donation of over $118,000 will further strengthen Fulfill’s ability to serve food-insecure residents throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties. To learn more about Stop & Shop’s community support; visit: https://stopandshop.com/pages/feed-it-forward