Mercer's TASK To Host Annual Community Food Event Sept. 15

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) will host a festive BBQ meal to commemorate Hunger Action Month, offering food, fun and community on Friday, Sept. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will be held at 72 ½ Escher Street. Attendees can enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the TASK kitchen at this outdoor, tented event that will also feature live music from TASK’s house band, The FunkTASKtiks, at the neighboring Capital City Farm.

In September, hunger relief agencies around the country join together to raise awareness about food insecurity, which is surging across the United States. This event marks an opportunity for TASK, which was founded by community organizers in 1982, to gather together diners, staff, volunteers, donors and community partners to bring attention to an important issue facing the Trenton area.

Today, TASK serves more than 9,000 meals per week at its Escher Street dining room as well as 35 community meal sites across Greater Mercer County.

TASK also offers case management, adult education, job search, creative arts programs and the provision of basic necessities.

“Over the past year, we have seen a surge in the amount of folks coming to us for food and hygiene products,” said Joyce E. Campbell, TASK’s CEO. “The cost of housing, stagnant wages and inflation have all contributed to an increase in food insecurity across our area, including places where hunger is more hidden like Princeton, NJ, and neighboring Bucks County, PA. We know that so many people are facing difficult choices between food and other important expenses like rent, medical care and transportation. Organizations like TASK are needed now more than ever.”

To that end, TASK is exploring new and different ways to meet the rising need in the community. Last year, TASK opened up for a sixth day of meal service for the first time in its history.

Beginning in 2024, TASK will take meals on the road with a mobile delivery truck that will be able to expand its reach.

“More food, more places. That’s the key,” said Campbell. “By providing folks with food, we can help to relieve them of these difficult decisions and help them on the path to self-sufficiency.

On Sept. 15, TASK will also provide an opportunity for community engagement. At 1 p.m., attendees are invited to move indoors for a brief ceremony that will feature reflections on Hunger Action Month and an opportunity to recognize several important contributors over the past year including Advocate of the Year, Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli; Volunteer of the Year, Maureen Clark; and two Community Partner of the Year awardees, Dr. Nicole McGrath of KinderSmile and Chris Hillman of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.