In this Thanksgiving-week feature, host Sandra Levine spotlights how A Need We Feed serves Ocean County residents living at or below the federal poverty level who often fall through the cracks of other programs. As Amanda explains, we focus on veterans, homebound seniors, families with children, and neighbors temporarily living in motels, people who frequently lack transportation and reliable access to nutritious food.
From Sandy Relief to a Year-Round Safety Net
A Need We Feed began in 2012 after Superstorm Sandy, feeding first responders and hosting large holiday meals. During the pandemic, with support from the NJEDA’s Sustain & Serve initiative, we expanded into a weekly meal delivery program that continues today.
How Weekly Meal Delivery Works
- Local restaurants (including Jersey Mike’s, Bubbakoos Burritos, Coronado’s Kitchen, Ryan’s Catering, and Cookie Lady Café) prepare individually packaged meals.
- Volunteers pick up the meals and bring them to our staging site at the Toms River Elks Lodge (Washington St., Toms River) every Wednesday.
- At the Elks, teams assemble labeled delivery bags and head out on routes to each client’s home.
Clients qualify by meeting federal poverty guidelines and not receiving other home-delivered meal programs (such as Meals on Wheels). This helps us reach neighbors who otherwise may not have a reliable hot meal each week.
More Than a Meal
The episode highlights what we see every Wednesday: the human connection matters. Amanda shares stories of:
- A veteran who called on Thanksgiving to say our volunteers feel “more like family,” and
- A client who knits items for other neighbors—a reminder that dignity and purpose grow when communities care for one another.
Why the Need Is Growing
The cost of living and rising grocery prices are stretching fixed incomes. Recent interruptions to public benefits have also increased requests for help. Your support directly keeps meals moving to the people who need them most.
Three Ways You Can Help Today
1) Fund a Meal
A gift of $8 covers one hot, restaurant-prepared meal delivered by volunteers. You can donate now, here.
2) Volunteer on Wednesdays
Help pick up, pack, or deliver meals from the Toms River Elks Lodge. It’s flexible, team-oriented, and deeply rewarding.
3) Partner as a Restaurant or Sponsor
We’re seeking additional restaurant partners and corporate sponsors to expand routes and stabilize weekly service. We purchase meals locally, so your partnership also sustains small businesses.
Thanksgiving—and Every Week After
Thanksgiving morning is special for our volunteers and their families, but our clients need support all year. If this episode moved you, please turn that inspiration into action: donate, volunteer, or partner so we can keep delivering meals—and connection—throughout Ocean County.
Find out more or get in touch. Call 732-630-5987 or Contact Us Today
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