As temperatures rise and school doors close for summer break, hunger doesn’t take time off. In fact, it only grows more urgent. At the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, we know this reality all too well.

In New Jersey, one in eight children faces hunger, and summer break only exacerbates this crisis. Without the meal programs that many children rely on daily, their access to nutritious food disappears, often during the months they need it the most.

While many children lose access to free and reduced-price school meals, they’re not the only ones left vulnerable. Seniors on fixed incomes, individuals experiencing homelessness and working families trying to stretch every dollar also turn to us during the long, hot summer months.

In Mercer County, the average cost of a meal is $4.04, meaning it costs about $340 to feed a family of four for one week.

For many families, that is an insurmountable expense. TASK is concerned that the rise in food insecurity will only increase as children lose access to critical nutrition over the summer.

In 2024, TASK served over 600,000 meals —the most in our 43-year history. Today, TASK meals are being served in our dining room and at food truck stops throughout Trenton. In addition, meals go to dozens of religious organizations, after-school programs, senior housing sites and programs that help adults living with physical disabilities. This staggering number represents lives touched and the growing demand we must meet.

But food alone won’t solve hunger. At TASK, we believe a hot meal is just the beginning. Our mission is to equip individuals with the tools they need to build a life beyond crisis.

Through our workforce readiness programs, we support people by providing the skills training, transportation assistance and workplace soft skills coaching they need to thrive. We also partner with dozens of employers to help people secure jobs.

Our case management team connects individuals to housing, physical and mental healthcare, identification and other essential resources.

TASK also fosters long-term change through education and personal development, offering GED tutoring, digital literacy classes and creative arts programs that help people flourish and rebuild their futures.

We don’t just hand out meals, we hand out hope. 

This summer, your support is more critical than ever. TASK will serve roughly 160,000 meals between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Your support makes a real difference. A donation of just $50 can feed one family for a whole day. In addition, your countless hours of volunteer time are critical to our ability to serve our neighbors in need with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Hunger doesn’t take a summer break.  Neither does hope. And neither do we.  THANK YOU for your continued support.