Norwescap’s Food Bank is dedicated to ending hunger and reducing food waste in northwestern New Jersey. Each year, we distribute the equivalent of approximately 1.7 million meals to over 100 pantries, soup kitchens, on-site feeding programs, child care centers, senior centers, and programs for the disabled in Warren, Hunterdon, and Sussex Counties. Our Food Bank accepts donations of surplus food from over 500 food manufacturers, wholesalers, distribution centers and food brokers, as well as from our generous donors, and distributes them to our partners who then directly serve our food-insecure neighbors.
Are you searching for a local food pantry? Click here for a list of our pantry partners in Warren, Sussex, and Hunterdon Counties.
Our Food Bank at Work:
- We distribute over 2 million pounds of food – the equivalent of nearly 1.7 million meals – annually to more 100 partners throughout Warren, Sussex, and Hunterdon Counties in New Jersey
- We work with more than 400 volunteers who contribute over 2,500 volunteer hours each year
- We provide food-filled backpacks to children identified as being food-insecure throughout the school year
- We provide free lunch to children in Phillipsburg during the summer months
- We operate emergency food pantries on multiple middle and high school campuses
- We operate a Thrift Store that is open to the general public.
Get Involved!
Norwescap’s Food Bank is deeply rooted in our community, and we rely on the generosity of our donors to support our operations and distribution of food to our charitable partners. Every $1 donated to our Food Bank provides the equivalent of 9 meals through our food distribution in the communities we serve. We also welcome food donations such as peanut butter, tuna fish, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, and assorted nutritious cereals all year long.
Our Food Bank also offers many opportunities to volunteer! Individual volunteers, as well as volunteer groups from local schools, churches, clubs, and businesses, support us by conducting food and fund drives, and work with us on-site to sort and store food for distribution to our partners.
Contact us at 908-454-4322 or FoodBank@norwescap.org to learn how you can be part of our work!
Thrift Store
Our thrift store, located at 201 Broad Street, Phillipsburg, NJ, is open to the general public Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 2pm. We welcome donations of new or gently-used/like new household items, clothing, and other items to sell in the store. All proceeds from sales support our Food Bank’s efforts to reduce hunger in our communities.
Backpack Program
Proper nutrition is vital to the growth and development of children. Children of low-income families are at a higher risk of poor nutrition; and even mild undernutrition during critical periods of growth can impact a child’s behavior, school performance and overall cognitive development.
The Backpack Program is offered through the school year to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school holidays. Each week, Food Bank staff and volunteers fill backpacks with nutritious food and drinks (packed to a child-friendly, easy to carry weight) and deliver them to participating schools. The children bring the food-filled backpacks home each Friday and return them to school on Monday to be refilled for the coming weekend. The average cost to provide a child with a backpack is $11.00 per week.
We welcome financial and food donations to support our Backpack Program. Needed food items include small cans of protein (such as tuna fish); peanut butter and jelly in plastic containers; macaroni & cheese; fresh fruit; 100% fruit juice boxes; variety pack cereals; granola bars; instant breakfast drink mix; pudding cups; fruit cups; fruit snacks; etc. For more information on supporting our Backpack Program, please call Norwescap’s Food Bank at 908-454-4322 or email foodbank@norwescap.org.
Summer Food Service Program
When school closes in June, many children lose their only reliable source of food. The Food Bank hosts a federally-funded Summer Food Service Program in Phillipsburg, NJ that provides free nutritious lunches to children under 18 18, Monday through Friday throughout July and August. In past years we have provided more than 4,000 free lunches per summer through this program. We welcome volunteers to support this summer program – contact us 908-454-4322 or email foodbank@norwescap.org for more details.
As COVID continues, we have worked closely with area school districts to modify our Backpack and Summer Food Programs as needed, in order to ensure that all children in our communities have access to healthy foods all year long.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
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