Food Insecurity Rises as Holiday Meal Drives Expand

Community Food Bank of New Jersey reports new demand from residents who have never before sought pantry help.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy

Wooden crate of fresh produce and stacked burlap sacks on a weathered loading dock beside bare trees under soft overcast daylight. — Food pantries across New Jersey report rising demand, with some residents seeking help for the first time as the Community Food Bank of New Jersey expects to distribute 95,000 holiday turkeys, hams and chicken roasters. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Community Food Bank of New Jersey, based in Hillside, reports increased need across its pantries this year, with some first-time users seeking help. The food bank expects to distribute 95,000 turkeys, hams and chicken roasters by the end of the month.

Why it matters

Working residents say they can no longer make ends meet, pointing to strain across New Jersey households heading into the holidays. Local efforts such as Paterson's distribution show how cities and community groups are responding to the rise in need.

The food bank expects to distribute 95,000 turkeys, hams and chicken roasters by month-end. Roughly one in eight New Jersey residents, about 1.2 million people, is food insecure, including about 330,000 children, and the source does not report a year-over-year comparison.

The players

Community Food Bank of New Jersey

A statewide hunger-relief organization headquartered in Hillside that supplies food pantries across New Jersey.

Islamic Center of Passaic County

A community religious center in Passaic County that partners with local government on food distribution efforts.

The details

Food pantries are seeing increased need almost across the board, with some people who have never used a food pantry now seeking help. On Friday evening, the City of Paterson and the Islamic Center of Passaic County will distribute 500 turkeys and 500 chickens at City Hall, where the median household income is about $40,000.

Friday evening (November 2026): City of Paterson and Islamic Center of Passaic County distribute 500 turkeys and 500 chickens at City Hall.
End of November 2026: Community Food Bank of New Jersey expects to complete distribution of 95,000 holiday meal items.

Roadmap

The holiday food push reflects New Jersey's measured food insecurity, where roughly one in eight residents and one in six children lack reliable access to food. Pantries now serving first-time users show that need has spread beyond the households that relied on charity in earlier years.

Residents who are struggling can seek help from local pantries, which are now serving people who have never used a food bank before. Families looking to give can contribute to food drives and holiday distributions in their own communities.

The takeaway

Food insecurity in New Jersey reaches well beyond long-term users of charity, so holiday giving matters to more households than in past years. Supporting local food drives is a practical way to help close the gap.