Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber Of Commerce: Lunch Break News Release: 9/2/2021

Press release from the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce:

September 02, 2021

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ellen McCarthy

Communications and Public Relations Coordinator

(732) 747-8577, Ext. 3123

(908) 489-0181 (mobile)

emccarthy@lunchbreak.org

www.lunchbreak.org

#whywebreak

    LUNCH BREAK VOLUNTEERS TAKING ACTION AGAINST HUNGER

September is Hunger Action Month and it’s also the month in which Lunch Break, the Red Bank social and food services resource center, recognizes and honors the work of its dedicated Board, volunteers and staff, as well as the incredible support of the local community, for their efforts in helping to carry out the center’s vital mission.

Lunch Break relies on its network of more than 2,000 volunteers, some of whom served heroically during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the organization’s varied food and service programs for those in Monmouth County living at or below the poverty line. Among some of the ways Lunch Break has helped:

• Our Soup Kitchen served more than 88,000 hot, nutritious, grab-and-go meals in 2020.

• Client Choice Pantry saw more than 21,000 grocery pickups in 2020.

• Continental Breakfast is served 5 days a week from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.

• Homebound delivery of nutritious meals is provided 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, including holidays.

• Last year, we provided Thanksgiving grab-and-go meals in addition to delivering to our homebound clients.

• Every week, more than 100 hot meals are delivered to displaced individuals in the Pan American Motel.

• Clara’s Closet distributed clothing to more than 3,200 individuals in 2020.

• In 2020, Outreach Clothing Program distributed 7,175 bags of clothing to individuals throughout Monmouth County. The Suit Up Program provided 95 individuals with business attire.

• The Backpack Program ensured that 725 children in need had school supplies in 2020.

• Our annual Holiday Program provided gift cards for 850 families in 2020.

• Children’s Cooking Class offered 141 children tuition-free virtual cooking classes in 2020.

• Life Skills Program partners with clients to gain skills to achieve economic self-sufficiency. In 2020, up to 100 people per month attended coaching sessions, with 45 participants gaining employment.

• Women’s Worth - Female Mentorship Program focuses on health, nutrition and wellness through discussions, workshops and speakers.

• In 2020, COVID-19 Emergency Fund provided 1,150 individuals with financial assistance and gift cards for urgent living expenses.

In New Jersey alone, 865,900 people, including 260,340 children, are food insecure, according to a 2021 Feeding America and Hunger Free New Jersey report. That means 1 in 10 individuals (9.6 percent) and 1 in 8 children (13.2 percent) live in homes without consistent access to adequate food.

Across Monmouth County, the rate of hunger among seniors has more than doubled since 2001, according to the National Council on Aging, a rate that is expected to increase as Baby Boomers age. About 10 percent of New Jersey’s older residents, some 190,000 seniors, were at risk of hunger in 2017 and these numbers are rising quickly.

In 2020, Lunch Break saw an unprecedented demand for groceries — 111 percent more food pickups over 2019. Same holds true for grab-and-go meals — Continental breakfast and lunch served six days a week and Community Dinner on Friday — with a 22 percent rise over 2019. 

Path to Self-sufficiency

The Life Skills Program provides skills training and resume, ESL and financial coaching to equip participants with the necessary tools to make them more marketable for employment. Among the training offered:

• Resume and cover letter prep

• GED prep

• Interview and computer skills

• Communication/public speaking

• Life and goal planning

Through a partnership with The Source at Red Bank Regional High School, the Life Skills Program launched the Alliance for Success Program (AFS) in 2021. The program offers training and mentorship to rising juniors and seniors, with a curriculum designed to enhance their skills for possible post-graduate employment or higher education.

Lunch Break is prepared to meet the growing needs of the community as the demand for basic necessities increases into 2022. It has been the center’s promise to “never miss a meal.” This continues because of the community’s dedicated support.

As a caring community, Lunch Break freely provides food, clothing, life skills and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County and beyond. To donate or for more information: www/lunchbreak.org. Follow Lunch Break on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. #whywebreak  

Lunch Break Staff and front-line kitchen volunteers preparing grab-and-go meals.
 
Ellen McCarthy
Communications & Public Relations Coordinator
Lunch Break

www.emccarthy@lunchbreak.org 

Phone (732) 747-8577, Ext. 3123   Fax (732) 383-8032

Mobile (908) 489-0181

121 Drs. James Parker Blvd., Red Bank, NJ 07701

www.lunchbreak.org

Help for today ... Hope for tomorrow

#whywebreak #givelocal

For Immediate Release Contact: Ellen McCarthy Communications and Public Relations Coordinator (732) 747-8577, Ext. 3123 (908) 489-0181 (mobile) emccarthy@lunchbreak.org www.lunchbreak.org #whywebreak     LUNCH BREAK VOLUNTEERS TAKING ACTION AGAINST HUNGER September is Hunger Action Month and it’s also the month in which Lunch Break, the Red Bank social and food services resource center, recognizes and honors the work of its dedicated Board, volunteers and staff, as well as the incredible support of the local community, for their efforts in helping to carry out the center’s vital mission. Lunch Break relies on its network of more than 2,000 volunteers, some of whom served heroically during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the organization’s varied food and service programs for those in Monmouth County living at or below the poverty line. Among some of the ways Lunch Break has helped: • Our Soup Kitchen served more than 88,000 hot, nutritious, grab-and-go meals in 2020. • Client Choice Pantry saw more than 21,000 grocery pickups in 2020. • Continental Breakfast is served 5 days a week from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. • Homebound delivery of nutritious meals is provided 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, including holidays. • Last year, we provided Thanksgiving grab-and-go meals in addition to delivering to our homebound clients. • Every week, more than 100 hot meals are delivered to displaced individuals in the Pan American Motel. • Clara’s Closet distributed clothing to more than 3,200 individuals in 2020. • In 2020, Outreach Clothing Program distributed 7,175 bags of clothing to individuals throughout Monmouth County. The Suit Up Program provided 95 individuals with business attire. • The Backpack Program ensured that 725 children in need had school supplies in 2020. • Our annual Holiday Program provided gift cards for 850 families in 2020. • Children’s Cooking Class offered 141 children tuition-free virtual cooking classes in 2020. • Life Skills Program partners with clients to gain skills to achieve economic self-sufficiency. In 2020, up to 100 people per month attended coaching sessions, with 45 participants gaining employment. • Women’s Worth - Female Mentorship Program focuses on health, nutrition and wellness through discussions, workshops and speakers. • In 2020, COVID-19 Emergency Fund provided 1,150 individuals with financial assistance and gift cards for urgent living expenses. In New Jersey alone, 865,900 people, including 260,340 children, are food insecure, according to a 2021 Feeding America and Hunger Free New Jersey report. That means 1 in 10 individuals (9.6 percent) and 1 in 8 children (13.2 percent) live in homes without consistent access to adequate food. Across Monmouth County, the rate of hunger among seniors has more than doubled since 2001, according to the National Council on Aging, a rate that is expected to increase as Baby Boomers age. About 10 percent of New Jersey’s older residents, some 190,000 seniors, were at risk of hunger in 2017 and these numbers are rising quickly. In 2020, Lunch Break saw an unprecedented demand for groceries — 111 percent more food pickups over 2019. Same holds true for grab-and-go meals — Continental breakfast and lunch served six days a week and Community Dinner on Friday — with a 22 percent rise over 2019.  Path to Self-sufficiency The Life Skills Program provides skills training and resume, ESL and financial coaching to equip participants with the necessary tools to make them more marketable for employment. Among the training offered: Resume and cover letter prep GED prep Interview and computer skills Communication/public speaking Life and goal planning ESL Household/personal budgeting Credit and financial counseling  Job training referrals Immigration and other legal referrals Hybrid learning/tutoring for all ages Life Skills training as needed Through a partnership with The Source at Red Bank Regional High School, the Life Skills Program launched the Alliance for Success Program (AFS) in 2021. The program offers training and mentorship to rising juniors and seniors, with a curriculum designed to enhance their skills for possible post-graduate employment or higher education. Lunch Break is prepared to meet the growing needs of the community as the demand for basic necessities increases into 2022. It has been the center’s promise to “never miss a meal.” This continues because of the community’s dedicated support. As a caring community, Lunch Break freely provides food, clothing, life skills and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County and beyond. To donate or for more information: www/lunchbreak.org. Follow Lunch Break on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. #whywebreak  

This press release was produced by the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.