The Flemington Area Food Pantry provides food and personal care items to needy Hunterdon County families regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background.
We are located across the parking lot from the front entrance of the Flemington WalMart.
Food insecurity is a national problem. In Hunterdon County, of 126,000 residents, an estimated 5,000 have income below the poverty level. Many of these residents, including children and infants, don't get enough to eat without some form of assistance.
The Flemington Area Food Pantry depends on the generosity of the Hunterdon County community for its very existence. Without donations of food and funds, the Pantry would not exist. More than 80% of Pantry income is derived from contributions of cash and groceries.
The Pantry provides supplemental groceries to approximately 1,200 income qualified Hunterdon County families.
Pantry clients are often underemployed hard-working adults, veterans, families with children, and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and who go without food for several meals, or sometimes several days at a time. These people are your friends and neighbors. Some have lost jobs, and some are homeless. They are of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, but have one thing in common: they don’t have the resources to buy the food they need to subsist.
How To Help
Donate Money
The Flemington Area Food Pantry is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which means donations are tax deductible within the limits permitted by law. Our Executive Director and two part-time assistants are the only paid employees, and our expenses are limited to their salaries, operating costs (phone, electricity, etc.), and the cost of the purchased food and personal care products we distribute to those in need.
Donate Food
Food and personal care products can be donated at one of our convenient drop off boxes in the Flemington ShopRite and the Flemington Stop & Shop. You may also donate non-perishable food items at the Pantry during normal business hours. A list of our current needs can be found in the Help Us section of this website. Please be sure donated food packaging has not been opened and has not passed its “use by” or “sell by” date.
If you are a farmer with surplus food crops, or a grocer who would like to donate food or personal care items, please call 908-788-5568 to find out how you can help.
Volunteer
Volunteers are always needed to pick up food and personal care items at local supermarkets, collection boxes, and other locations. Volunteers also work at the Pantry sorting and shelving items, distributing groceries to our clients, and helping with clerical and office tasks. Please visit the Help Us page for details or email our Volunteer Director.
Participate in Special Events
The Flemington Area Food Pantry runs special fundraising events throughout the year. These may include the Empty Bowl lunch and raffles. Other community organizations also stage special events in support of the Pantry. Contact the pantry for more information.
Run a Food Drive
Any group, religious congregation, company, or social organization is encouraged to organize a food drive in support of the Pantry. You can also set up a collection box at your place of business or organization’s facility. Please call 908-788-5568 for details.
Click on the thumbnail to the right for a list of items most needed for a successful food drive.
Give Birthday Bags
Looking for a community service project for your scout troop, church group or other group? Would you like to find a meaningful and fun project to do with your children or grandchildren? Are you a teenager who’d like to help disadvantaged children? Everyone can participate in our “Birthday Bag” program!
Flemington Food Pantry helps families celebrate their child’s birthday by providing “Birthday Bag” for children ages three to twelve filled with party supplies and toys. Groups and individuals can assemble these bags and bring them to the Pantry or can donate the toys and/or supplies that fill the bags.
For more information on the Birthday Bag program send an email to: info@FlemingtonFoodPantry.org.
Who We Help
Hunger in Hunterdon
According to the US Census, Hunterdon County consistently ranks among the five wealthiest counties in the United States. This fact begs the question: Do we really have hungry people living in our county? Stop by the Food Pantry and the answer will be plain to see.
The US Department of Agriculture reports that In 2010, 48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households (the USDA’s way to describe hungry families), including 32.6 million adults and 16.2 million children. In New Jersey, 1,101,570 people currently live in food insecure households, and in Hunterdon County, of 123,000 residents in 2010, an estimated 4,600 had incomes below the poverty level. Many of those residents, including children and infants, don’t get enough to eat without some form of assistance.
Our Clients
The Flemington Area Food Pantry provides groceries and personal care products at no cost to 1,200 needy Hunterdon County families. These are often underemployed hard-working adults, veterans, families with children, and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and who go without food for several meals, or sometimes several days at a time. These people are your friends and neighbors. Some have lost jobs, others are retired and are victims of the current national economy. They are of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common, they don’t have the resources to buy the food they need to subsist.
Some of our clients are homeless, others may be living in government-supported motels or apartments. Still others may be long-time residents of Hunterdon County and are managing to remain in their own homes, but don’t have enough income to purchase food.
Eligibility
All clients meet eligibility requirements that closely follow those of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) of the USDA.