In our 43 years of operation, perhaps the most valuable lesson we have learned at TASK is the importance of partnership.

In this ever-evolving and interconnected world, TASK has long recognized that collaboration is a vital tool for progress. Recently we have taken steps to formalize some of our partnerships, creating coalitions in the interest of making even more impact on our collective communities.

“By pooling resources, expertise and influence, we can help drive change that might otherwise be out of reach,” says TASK CEO Amy Flynn.

“The issues we are facing are complex, and they require thoughtful and coordinated solutions.”

The New Jersey Community Kitchen Coalition (CKC) is a perfect example. Formed back in 2020, the CKC was brought together by TASK’s former CEO, Joyce Campbell, to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CKC originally met to discuss creative solutions to meal service, staff morale on the frontlines and, eventually, how to reopen safely. As the pandemic waned, the group turned its attention to more complicated issues.

Today, the CKC is made up of eight soup kitchens across the state that are working together to create efficiencies, save costs, increase revenues and provide collective advocacy to strengthen policies and programs that affect food insecurity in New Jersey. While the CKC continues to meet to discuss best practices, members have also visited Washington, D.C., to speak to representatives during the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, and hosted a joint meeting with the NJ Food Fund (another important hunger relief coalition) to discuss solutions.

“While all eight CKC organizations are different in size and services, the challenges we face and our approach to service is the same,” says Campbell, who now facilitates the coalition through funding from a grant.

Echoes Carrie-Kitchen Santiago, Executive Director of Cathedral Kitchen, a fellow CKC soup kitchen, “Now, more than ever, we must lean on each other to meet the challenges ahead. Our missions direct us to feed whomever comes to our doors, and partnerships like these will continue to make our work possible.”

TASK is also one of the founding members of the Mercer County Food Security Leaders, made up of leaders from the County’s major hunger relief organizations. This coalition, currently chaired by Sarah Steward, CEO of HomeFront, comes together monthly to collaborate on the most important issues facing our communities.

“I remember we had a moment last spring that really drove home how important a strong coalition can be,” shares Flynn. “A statewide opportunity for grant funding had been posted. Knowing there would be multiple awardees statewide, the group came together to support one another in their individual applications for this funding with the goal of bringing as much of that funding as possible to THIS community. Each of us shared the project we would be seeking funding for, ensuring that our efforts were unduplicated and designed to enhance our collective impact.”

“That was really remarkable,” continues Flynn, “but also a hallmark of true collaboration — the ability to put our people first and do what is in their best interest. Together, we lead with purpose and increase our ability to meaningfully serve our community.”