Our fifth annual Community Meal and BBQ was a resounding success!

On September 25, TASK brought more than 750 people together under the tents at Capital City Farm for a delicious meal and a celebration of community.

Our diners enjoyed traditional BBQ fare prepared by Emilio’s Culinary Academy, our culinary training program, as well as water ice served by Rita’s of Ewing. Guests danced to music from the FunkTASKtiks and The Believers, made up of members of TASK‘s music program, and they enjoyed stepping onboard the Trenton Community A-TeamArt Cart to explore their creative sides through painting and drawing.

After the BBQ ended, guests moved indoors for a short ceremony and an opportunity to reflect on the surge in food insecurity that continues to escalate across the area.

TASK Board Vice President Pastor Rupert A. Hall, Jr., opened the ceremony by acknowledging that TASK’s record-breaking numbers over the past year are both a cause for celebration and a reason for concern.

TASK CEO Amy Flynn emphasized that TASK’s role goes beyond feeding our neighbors in need: “Hunger cannot be solved by food alone.” It is also TASK’s responsibility to reduce people’s reliance on hunger relief programs like ours. Through our continuum of care TASK helps people along the path to self-sufficiency and improved quality of life.

It was our sincere privilege to also recognize and honor some of our most impactful partners in this work.

TASK was pleased to present a Community Partner of the Year Award to HomeFront and Brenda Whitaker, Social Solutions Center Director. Together, their tireless and compassionate efforts have helped countless individuals achieve greater stability and self-sufficiency.

TASK also presented a Community Partner of the Year Award to the Meal Recovery Coalition (MRC), led by Share My Meals. TASK celebrated the incredible work the MRC is doing across New Jersey to rescue quality meals from restaurants and corporate cafeterias, as well as the work they have done to enhance education and advocacy around food rescue.

Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli presented our Advocate of the Year award to the Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF) for their work and partnership in mobilizing during last year’s government shutdown and SNAP crisis. PACF brought partners and funds together quickly to minimize disruption and reduce the impact to those who rely on nonprofit organizations like TASK across Mercer County.

As we look back at the past year, we can’t help but feel gratitude for all of our partners in this work. At TASK, our impact is a true “triumph of community.”

While Hunger Action Month is a bittersweet time to reflect on the work that still needs to be done, it’s also a unique opportunity to celebrate the resilience and hard work it takes to turn hunger into hope. Thank you to all of our partners in this work — during Hunger Action Month and all year long!