Do you need assistance with food or nutritional resources?
Information on area food pantries Get assistance with SNAP and WIC
DO YOU WANT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FACING HUNGER?
Food Bank
Working to End Hunger
Norwescap’s Food Bank is dedicated to ending hunger and reducing food waste in New Jersey. We serve Hunterdon, Sussex and Warren counties; of the 370,000 residents of these counties, 27,000 (over 7%) live in food insecure households.
Each year, the Norwescap Food Bank distributes the equivalent of approximately 1.7 million meals through a network of more than 100 pantries, soup kitchens, on-site feeding programs, childcare centers, senior centers, and programs for the disabled in Warren, Hunterdon, and Sussex counties. We also operate a thrift store in Phillipsburg, and support children and youth in our communities through our Backpack and Summer Feeding programs.
Norwescap’s Food Bank fights hunger in many ways. Learn more about what we do and how you can help.
Locate a Norwescap Food Pantry Near You
Norwescap Food Bank distributes food to a network of food pantries, soup kitchens and other community partners across Hunterdon, Sussex and Warren counties. Click here for a list of these partners.
Norwescap partners with pantries in Warren, Sussex, and Hunterdon counties. Do you live in a different county and need to find a pantry near you?
Find food in Monmouth and Ocean counties
Find food in Camden, Gloucester, Salem, and Burlington counties
Kids Backpack Program
The Backpack program started in 2006 with one school and now supports 14 schools across the three counties we serve.
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 throughout 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.
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. Click here to support our Backpack Program today!
Kids Summer Feeding Program
When school closes in June, many food insecure 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, 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.
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.
WAYS TO HELP
Donate Funds
As part of a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, Norwescap’s Food Bank relies on the on the generosity of our donors to support our operations and distribution of food to our charitable partners throughout our service area.
Donate Food
We are very grateful for all donated food items. They all help provide nutritious, high-quality meals to neighbors in need. Food donations are sorted and distributed quickly. We accept non-perishable food donations at:
Norwescap Food Bank
201 Broad Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 3:00pm and Friday, 9:00am to 2:00pm
Contact us at 908-454-4322 or email foodbank@norwescap.org with any questions
The Food Bank welcomes food donations such as peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, canned fruits and vegetables, soups, fruit juice, and assorted cereals all year long. Click here to see a list of our most-needed items
Host a Food and Fund Drive
A food drive is a powerful way to bring together your community to make a direct impact. Food drives not only provide much-needed nutritious food for families, but they are also a great way to raise awareness of hunger in our communities.
Anyone can run a food and fund drive! Consider running a food drive in your neighborhood, at your workplace, school, club, scouting troop, or any other organization. Also consider hosting a virtual food drive to reach more people and have the most impact.
To GET STARTED, fill out the Food Drive Registration Form and we will provide you with the Food and Fund Drive Kit.
If you have questions, you can contact us at 908-454-4322 or email us at foodbank@norwescap.org.
Get Involved – Volunteer
The Norwescap Food Bank is deeply rooted in our community. Volunteers from local groups, schools, churches, clubs, and businesses come together to conduct food and fund drives and work with us on-site to help end hunger.
Our warehouse and thrift store in Phillipsburg are open to volunteers!
- All volunteers must be aged 12 or older. Teens aged 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Warehouse volunteers will assist with one of the following tasks: (1) Sorting and repacking donated food items or (2) assembling food items for our Kid’s Backpack Program.
- Thrift Store volunteers will assist with sorting donated items and general store operations.
To volunteer with our Food Bank, click the link below to access our PDF application, and send your completed form to Janet Bray, brayj@norwescap.org. Questions? Call us at 908-454-4322.
The Norwescap Food Bank is an affiliate partner of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, a member of Feeding America.
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.
Additional Resources:
Norwescap Food Bank
201 Broad Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Other Programs that can provide assistance
WIC
Norwescap’s Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) program provides supplemental nutritious foods to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants and children up to the age of five. Fathers may also bring their children to apply and learn more about WIC services.
SNAP
If you are having trouble paying for groceries, even if it’s just for a few months, Norwescap is here to help.
Sussex County Diaper Bank
Our Diaper Pantry and Caring Closet, located in Newton, NJ supports families by providing diapers, wipes, and children’s clothing to Sussex County families in need.
