The mission of The Food Bank Network is to distribute food and to provide other basic human needs to those less fortunate in our community in a manner which recognizes and advances self worth and human dignity. Our method of distributing this food is through three food pantries that are held on Saturdays and located in Somerville, Bound Brook, North Plainfield, and a warehouse in Bridgewater. Our goal is to help create the opportunity for each person to become self-sufficient.

Description:
On a daily basis, we take emergency calls from people who need our help and are unable to wait until Saturday. Usually, they are first-time people or people with special needs. These folks are referred to us from other county agencies such as the Board of Social Services, Food Stamps, Alternatives, Richard Hall, S.H.I.P., Catholic Charities, Group Home, United Way, Home-Sharing, D.Y.F.S., and Agape House. We also take walk-ins of people needing immediate help.

People who receive food from us are asked to fill out an application on their first visit. Each applicant receives food on their first visit. Our procedure is to review each application and to follow up with any necessary referrals to other agencies. We are then able to determine how often a family or individual can be served each month. This review is done on a weekly basis.

History:
The Food Bank Network will be in its 25th year of operation in May 2007.

Contact person: Marie Scannell, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 732-748-0622

Address:

Bldg. 9-E Easy Street Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (See a map)

Directions:

The Food Bank Network Headquarters is located on Easy Street which is off of Chimney Rock Road between Routes 22 and 28. It is located near the United Parcel Service complex and Brigewater Promenade.