Feeding Seniors
1 in 14 seniors in South Jersey struggles with hunger.
Food insecurity means having limited access to enough nutritious food due to a lack of money. Many seniors in South Jersey face the impossible choice of how best to use their money – should they pay for housing, medicine, utilities, transportation, or food? Far too often the choice to pay for food becomes the lowest priority.
FBSJ hosted 46 senior food distribution locations in 2021. We also offer two great Twilight Harvest programs for seniors who are age- and income-qualified. Seniors who qualify can participate in BOTH programs.
Twilight Harvest — CSFP (Commodities Supplemental Food Program)
This program provides supplemental food boxes for low-income seniors. These boxes contain 30 pounds of healthy food provided through the support of the USDA and equating to approximately a two-week supply of groceries. The FBSJ produces 1,600 CSFP boxes monthly and distributes them with the help of community partners.
To qualify, seniors must be over 60 years of age, provide proof of New Jersey residency and proof of income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line. Proof of income can include a social security benefit statement or participation in federal and state programs such as TANF, SSI, WIC, SNAP (food stamps), or Medicaid.
Twilight Harvest — Client Choice
This program operates very similarly to a food pantry, however it transports the food to recipients residing in senior living complexes or communities. FBSJ sets up mobile distributions directly inside senior living facilities, many of whose residents struggle with food insecurity.
To qualify, seniors must be over 60 years of age, provide proof of New Jersey residency and proof of income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line. Proof of income can include a social security benefit statement or participation in federal and state programs such as TANF, SSI, WIC, SNAP (food stamps), or Medicaid.