About the Hunger Challenge:

The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties challenges all students, staff, teachers and parents to think of those less fortunate this holiday season by organizing a food drive at their school, beginning September 28 and ending November 19, 2009.  The goal of the School Holiday Hunger Challenge is to provide food for those in need.

The 2008 School Holiday Hunger Challenge raised 54,000 pounds – shattering all records!! Last year’s Hunger Challenge was testament to the compassion of students, parents and teachers who came together to take on this challenge. A total of 67 schools in both Monmouth & Ocean Counties registered, with over 32,000 students participating.  The food collected was distributed to 275 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters for the homeless, shelters for victims of domestic violence, programs for youth, daycare and residential programs for children, the disabled and elderly in your town and others throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

This year, in the midst of a recession, we are seeing record numbers of people in need of food. The number of visits to pantries and soup kitchens has increased by 30% during the last year.
It is indeed a sad reality, that of those seeking our services two out of every five are children living in poverty.  Hunger and malnutrition impair children’s mental, physical and social development, contributing to increased absenteeism and lower academic performance.

We need your help now more than ever!! By registering your school to participate, we can help nearly 70,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean Counties who live on incomes too low to provide their families with basic necessities.