Fulfill Launches $29M ‘Path to Plenty’ To Build Warehouse, Fight Hunger in NJ

A $10 million warehouse project for Fulfill Food Bank in Neptune marks the start of a bigger plan to fight hunger in two New Jersey counties. The work starts on Oct. 8 at the main site on Route 66.

The build will add vast storage space. Cold units will grow nearly three times bigger: from 2,645 to 7,633 square feet. A new 13,000-square-foot section will hold dry goods.

Stats show a stark truth: over 120,000 locals can't get enough food. Last year brought record numbers, with 18 million pounds given to those in need.

Private donors stepped up big. They've pitched in $18 million so far for the "Path to Plenty Campaign To Fill The Healthy Food Gap." The full plan needs $29 million: $10 million for building work, plus $19 million to keep food moving to tables.

When finished, the site will welcome volunteers in a new center. Food pantries will find it easier to collect supplies. It's the biggest change to the building in years.

Times are tough. Twice as many people now seek help compared to pre-COVID days: 108,000 visits just this year. Kids got 332,000 meals and snacks through special programs.

The work spreads wide through 289 partners. Food trucks reached 318,000 people in 2024, with special focus on older folks and veterans who couldn't travel.

A big hit came when federal cuts stripped away 150,000 pounds of expected food aid. Quick work brought in new support to fill the gap.

Top names will gather for the start: Triada Stampas leads the pack as CEO, with Board Chair Susan Kyrillos, Agriculture Secretary Edward Wengryn, Sen. Vin Gopal, and County Commissioner Thomas Arnone joining in.

Want to help? Drop off non-perishable food at Neptune or The B.E.A.T Center in Toms River. Every Friday from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., cars line up at Neptune for Pop-the-Trunk events.