LACEY – The Township Committee noted that September is Hunger Action Month.
In reading the proclamation, Mayor Peter Curatolo said, “the unemployment level is the highest it has ever been in the state and the poverty level for a family of four is at $25,926 and 9.6 percent live at that level.”
He noted that food banks were serving around 215,000 people including 75,000 children in Ocean and Monmouth counties since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic one in every six people in Monmouth or Ocean counties received emergency food from Fulfill (formerly known as the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties) and their network of food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and community organizations.
Fulfill representative Joe Kroeze thanked the mayor for the proclamation. “Hunger still exists and we are trying to combat that and we expect a spike this fall. We are trying to do everything we can. If there is anything you need from us, please let us know. We are here to help.”