Somerset County Kicks-Off New ‘Curbing Hunger All Year’ Food Drive

SOMERVILLE, NJ – In response to the national food insecurity crisis, the Somerset County Board of Commissioners will support new food drive initiatives to benefit local food banks and in-need residents. In association with the nonprofit Curbing Hunger, Inc., the County will kick off the Curbing Hunger All Year food donation drive in June, when food supplies are especially low. The new food drive will allow residents to donate all year at more than 20 convenient drop-off locations throughout Somerset County or give a monetary donation online.

“High prices and housing costs have had an impact on many of our residents, and access to healthy, nutritional food is difficult for more families than ever before,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson. “My colleagues and I are determined to help eliminate this problem by expanding Somerset County’s food drive initiatives, such as Curbing Hunger All Year.”

Somerset County has released a short video that explains how the new Curbing Hunger all Year food drive works. Click here to view the video.

In the U.S., every county is experiencing food insecurity. New Jersey has almost 1 million food- insecure residents, which means they do not have enough access to food for an active, healthy life due to limited financial resources, as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture. In Somerset County, there are more than 24,500 food-insecure individuals, according to Feeding America.

Somerset County and Curbing Hunger Inc. have been working together for nearly three decades to collect food donations in the month of June only via the county recycling program. This year, the program is being transitioned to a year-round drop-off program to increase the flow of donations while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

“I’m grateful that the Board of Commissioners is helping to support the new Curbing Hunger All Year food drive,” said Curbing Hunger, Inc., Board President Chuck Knill. “The new food drive is more cost-effective for the Somerset County Recycling Division, more efficient for the donors and recipients, and necessary in response to the high cost of living.”

New and Improved Curbing Hunger

This year, residents can drop off their donations in the orange Curbing Hunger bins at more than 20 convenient locations throughout the county. Donations will be distributed to local food banks. Residents also can send an online monetary donation to the foodbank of their choice, or bring donations to a recycling drop-off event, including First Saturday, E-Waste, and Operation Secure Shred.

Accepting Items

Curbing Hunger, Inc., is accepting non-perishable canned goods, such as soups, tuna,

tomato sauce, canned fruits, and vegetables.

Other acceptable items include boxed shelf-stable milk, cereals, dried pasta, peanut butter and jelly in plastic jars, baby food, and baby formula.

Food bank clients also need laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, body wash/soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and diapers.

Not Accepting Items

Items not accepted are expired food, items in glass containers, and plastic bags.

For more information about donation drop-off locations and online donations, visit soconj.gov/curbhunger or click here.

About Curbing Hunger, Inc

Curbing Hunger, Inc. is a 501(c)3 recognized charitable organization that has been operating for 30 years. The non-profit has collected and distributed over 2.6 million pounds of food. 

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