T.A.S.K. Update
The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen has been in operation for almost 40 years and has never turned away someone who is hungry for a meal. When the pandemic began 7 months ago, that commitment did not change; however, they had to cease their indoor meal service and use of volunteers. With a drastically increased number of packaged meals and minimal volunteers to help, a new challenge arose regarding the efficiency of wrapping these meals. With a grant from the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund, they were able to purchase “Betsy”—a 500 pound food packaging machine.
They have continued to serve many wrapped meals to-go out of their doors at Escher St. and at most of their other locations. In addition, they have been increasing services within the city of Trenton, such as helping serve meals to seniors who are now confined to their homes as well as children unable to receive free school lunches since school closures beginning in March. Since COVID-19 has caused job loss for so many, there has been increased food insecurity even in the suburbs of Trenton. One of TASK’s responses to this occurred on Saturday, October 3rd. They worked with the Rise Food Pantry of Hightstown, NJ to host and recruit 100 volunteers for a “Rise to the TASK” drive-thru distribution of groceries for more than 1,000 families in Mercer County.
September was Hunger Action Month—HPC responded with a $1,000 donation to TASK (in addition to another $1,000 donated in May). Through generous donations and hard-working staff members, they were able to provide:
7000 meals for families outside of Trenton
2500 youth meals for local children
30,000 meals for families in Trenton
40 tons of groceries for local food pantries & food banks
While TASK fully respects and supports those who wish to remain safe and physically distanced at this time, there may be some opportunities for food prep work in the dining room of the soup kitchen on Escher St. Monday through Friday from 10am-1pm. Anyone interested can find more information and register on TASK’s new website. They are also partnering with Meals on Wheels and Arm in Arm—both of these organizations could use some volunteers to help provide food for those in need.
In addition to HPC’s monetary donations, Cathe and Ian Burrow generously collected and delivered donated cases of water bottles to TASK in the heat of July. Another way for our church to help at this time would be to donate any of the following listed items so we can make hygiene kits for those in need. Please leave any of these items you would like to donate in the food pantry cabinet at church. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, please email Michelle Yingling (jandminindy@comcast.net) and we can pick up your donations left outside your house in a bag. We will then combine these items in gallon Ziploc bags and deliver them to TASK.
Needed hygiene kit items:
Full-size and travel size toothpaste
Bar soap
Deodorant
Shampoo
Hand or body lotion (small one)
Disposable razor