More meals, more places. That was the goal we set for ourselves on March 18, 2024 – the day we put the TASK food truck on the road for the first time.

Since then, the truck has become a staple throughout Trenton, bringing TASK’s signature hot meals directly into neighborhoods across the Capital City that need them most.

On its own, the TASK food truck  will have served more than 36,000 meals in its first year.

By adding mobile meal stops, TASK has been able to expand our community meal site program to 43 total sites across the area. In addition, we have been able to enhance access to food by addressing some of the barriers that prevented people from going to an existing site, including issues like transportation, timing and even stigma.

“We have learned so much in this first year,” says TASK COO Paul Jensen. “We knew the truck would serve families with children, seniors and people experiencing chronic homelessness. We have been pleased to see that the truck has also been able to serve so many hardworking residents who are struggling with food insecurity.”

Remarks TASK Food Truck Coordinator Max Gatto, “One big surprise has been how quickly we became an integral part of hundreds of people’s weekly schedules. So many families can breathe a little easier knowing that a few days a week they have a reliable source of food for themselves and their children, allowing them time to focus on the other important aspects of their busy lives.”

At TASK, we believe that access to food means more than just availability.

TASK believes that our responsibility to the community – and the key to achieving food security – involves overcoming barriers to make healthy, nourishing meals conveniently accessible to everyone who needs them.

“Some people think the main hurdle to food security is the decision to go to the soup kitchen,” explains Gatto. “But because of challenges posed by things like transportation, physical disabilities, childcare and many other barriers, it’s not that simple. The TASK Truck makes food more accessible, conveniently bringing free hot meals to people in their own neighborhoods.”

In addition to meal service, another significant achievement has been co-locating with a handful of our mobile partners across the city including WIC services (to address the health of women, infants and children) in partnership with The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, addiction outreach, homelessness prevention and other critical supportive services.

“We are more than just a truck that drops off food,” says Gatto. “Each site is like its own community hub.”

TASK’s community partners are key. Whether it’s a fellow nonprofit mobile unit that co-locates with the truck, organizations like Capital Health that offer their lot for a site, or the dedicated volunteers who accompany Gatto and TASK staff on their outings, TASK is working alongside the community to help serve neighbors in need.

“After our first year on the road, we have learned a lot and are ready to enhance our program,” says Jensen. “We have some sites where we serve 300-400 meals in just two hours and new sites waiting to come online. Thanks to the support we receive from donors and volunteers, we look forward to reporting even more meals served in our second year!”