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SEPTEMBER 2026

HUNGER ACTION MONTH

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www.mercycenternj.org/ways-to-help/

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Empower - Enrich - Educate | Mercy Center

TUESDAY

01

Learn about the history of Hunger Action Month and why it is important.

#HungerActionMonth

WEDNESDAY

02

Join us on socials! @mercycenternj @MercyCenterAP

Facebook-f Instagram

THURSDAY

03

Looking for a way to talk about hunger with friends and family of all ages? Check out our book list!

FRIDAY

04

It’s National Food Bank Day!

Come volunteer with us.

SATURDAY

05

Attending a local sports game this weekend? Turn your tailgate into a food drive!

SUNDAY

06

Take the time to learn more about the vital role programs like SNAP play in food security.

MONDAY

07

Register to become a volunteer at Mercy Center! Visit our website to start the process.

TUESDAY

08

Learn more about the Office of the Food Security Advocate in New Jersey (OFSA).

WEDNESDAY

09

Make a difference in a family’s life, drop off a bag of groceries at the food pantry!

THURSDAY

10

Shop off Mercy Center’s Amazon Wishlist to help us keep our pantry shelves full!

FRIDAY

11

One fact can spark major change. Share one from our social media today!

SATURDAY

12

Want to understand hunger in America? A Place at the Table is a must-watch.

SUNDAY

13

Learn the benefits of becoming a Monthly Donor!

MONDAY

14

Did you know every $20 donation can provide 60 meals for local families?

TUESDAY

15

Make your impact go further by starting a fundraiser on social media!

WEDNESDAY

16

Stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter!

THURSDAY

17

Learn about Mercy Center’s Capital Campaign and our plans for the new facilities.

FRIDAY

18

Share our most requested items sheet with your friends and family.

SATURDAY

19

Rally your school, office, or neighborhood to host a food drive!

SUNDAY

20

Did you know we accept more than food? Start a personal care item drive!

MONDAY

21

Help combat inequality by supporting our efforts to support our unhoused neighbors.

TUESDAY

22

Use your common space to make hunger visible! Hang a poster from our toolkit.

WEDNESDAY

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The holidays are just around the corner. It is never too early to register for a food or fund drive.

THURSDAY

24

Bring a bagged lunch to work and donate what you would have spent on ordering out!

FRIDAY

25

Mercy Center advocates for the end to generational poverty in Monmouth County. Are you in?

SATURDAY

26

Learn why hunger persists—and how you can be part of the solution by exploring root causes.

SUNDAY

27

Support sustainable food systems by shopping at local markets and supporting our state’s farmers.

MONDAY

28

Ask a friend to Go Orange with you tomorrow on Hunger Action Day! Make it fun and memorable!

TUESDAY

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Wear orange to celebrate Hunger Action Day! Make sure to tag us!

WEDNESDAY

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Make a personal pledge to take action against hunger all year long.

SEPTEMBER 2026

HUNGER ACTION MONTH

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WAYS IN

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www.mercycenternj.org/ways-to-help/

This September, we invite you to bring your friends, family, and team together in the name of food security. Follow this calendar for daily ways to take action toward ending hunger here in Monmouth County.

SUNDAY

27

Support sustainable food systems by shopping at local markets and supporting our state’s farmers.

MONDAY

28

Ask a friend to Go Orange with you tomorrow on Hunger Action Day! Make it fun and memorable!

TUESDAY

29

Wear orange to celebrate Hunger Action Day! Make sure to tag us!

WEDNESDAY

30

Make a personal pledge to take action against hunger all year long.

SEPTEMBER 2026

HUNGER ACTION MONTH

www.mercycenternj.org/ways-to-help/

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0

WAYS IN

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DAYS

This September, we invite you to bring your friends, family, and team together in the name of food security. Follow this calendar for daily ways to take action toward ending hunger here in Monmouth County.

FOOD-FIGHT

JOIN IN ON THE FUN THIS HUNGER ACTION MONTH AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

Compete all September long to be crowned one of our three food fight champions. Whether you register as a team or solo and are donating your time or resources, your actions can add up to make a large impact in our community and in the lives of our

How to compete:

TIME

Log the most volunteer hours at Mercy Center during the month

POUNDAGE

Donate the most pounds of food and household items as an individual or team

FUNDS

Raise the most amount of money on
Mercy Center’s behalf

To sign up or find out more information email our Community Outreach Coordinator,
Erin Kirkpatrick, at ekirkpatrick@mercycenternj.org

TUESDAY

01

History of Hunger
Action Month

Hunger Action Month is a national campaign held every September to help raise awareness and inspire action to end hunger in America. It was started by Feeding America and their network of food banks in 2007. This year marks the 19th year of Hunger Action Month.

You can celebrate Hunger Action Month by wearing orange (the color of hunger), donating your time or resources, and advocating for food security within our community.

TUESDAY

02

Join Mercy Center on
Social Media!

Follow us on Instagram at @mercycenternj and Facebook at @MercyCenterAP.
You can also find us on LinkedIn!
Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin

TUESDAY

03

Mercy Center Book List

Looking for a way to talk about the impact of hunger and poverty with your friends and family of all different ages? We have put together a list of book recommendations below. Consider buying or ordering them through our local bookstores in and around Asbury Park!
For Young Children:

  • Saturday’s at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill
  • Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt
  • Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by Dyanne Disalvo-Ryan
 
For Middle Grade:

  • Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
  • And Then, Boom by Lisa Flipps
  • Boundless by Chaunte’ Lowe
  • No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen
 

For Teens:

  • The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
  • Breaking Night by Liz Murray
  • On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
 
 

For Adults:

  • How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America by Priya Fielding-Singh, PhD
  • Rebuilding the Foodshed: How to Create Local, Sustainable, and Secure Food Systems by Philip Ackerman-Leist
  • Black Food Geographies: Race, Self-Reliance, and Food Access in Washington D.C. by Ashante M. Reese
  • The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities by Peter Ladner

TUESDAY

04

National Food Bank Day!

National Food Bank Day happens on the first Friday of September each year. It’s goal is to raise awareness about the ongoing impact of hunger while also honoring the work of food bank employees and volunteers. It also commemorates the founding of St. Mary’s Food Bank in 1967, which was the world’s first official food bank. 
 
A great way to celebrate is to donate items, time, or funds to your local food bank or food pantry! 

TUESDAY

05

Turn a Tailgate into a Food Drive

September marks the return to school and fall sports in the area. Whether you prefer to watch soccer or football, turn this weekend’s tailgate at the big game into a food drive! Have fun while supporting the community!

TUESDAY

06

What Is SNAP?

More commonly known as food stamps, SNAP is a monthly benefit to low income families that helps them afford healthy food. It is provided to over 42 million Americans yearly, nearly 1 million of those in NJ alone. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In New Jersey, a single person can receive a minimum of $95 to a maximum of $298 a month with $194 being the average.
 
SNAP has come a long way to make sure that the benefits stay user friendly and accessible in this increasingly digital world. Individuals now have their benefits loaded monthly onto debit cards called Families First Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT cards for short. These can be used at most grocery stores to purchase things like, produce, meat, rice, milk, and bread. You cannot use your benefits to purchase alcohol, cigarettes, prepared meals, or non-food items like diapers, soap, and medicine.
 
If you would like to learn more about SNAP within New Jersey, click here! If you would like to sign up for SNAP, email our coordinator, Marcela, at dmvarela.vita@gmail.com to receive free step-by-step assistance.

TUESDAY

07

Register to Volunteer

There are so many ways to make a difference in the lives of the food insecure of Monmouth County. One of the biggest is to become a volunteer at Mercy Center’s food pantry. Register to become a volunteer by clicking here. If you have any questions feel free to email our Volunteer Coordinator, Joan, at jtampellini@mercycenternj.org.

TUESDAY

08

Learn More About OFSA

Did you know that New Jersey’s Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) is currently the only food security advocacy office in the country that is placed in the highest level of state government? Having OFSA within the Governor’s Office means that the mission to end hunger is being taken seriously here in New Jersey.
 
OFSA’s goal is to create food security here in the Garden State through collaborative efforts and take actions that are backed by strong research, evaluation, and community-driven program design. Click here to learn more about this new office!

TUESDAY

09

Donate to our Food Pantry

Make a difference in our neighbor’s lives by dropping off a bag of groceries at our food pantry today! Don’t have time to stop by in person? You can shop our Amazon Wish List and get it set directly to our pantry!

TUESDAY

10

Shop Off Mercy Center's Amazon Wishlist

On of the easiest ways to help keep the shelves of Mercy Center’s pantry fully stocked is by shopping off of our Amazon Wish List. It is updated with seasonal and year round requests. And the best part is that it gets delivered right to our door! Click here to check it out.

TUESDAY

11

Share a Small Fact

Sometimes all it takes is just one small fact to spark major change. Like did you know that Asbury Park is technically a food desert which is why it is so important to have our food pantry operating 6 days a week here? Find facts about hunger and poverty in Asbury Park and Monmouth County on our social media and share them with your network!

TUESDAY

12

Watch "A Place at the Table"

As you are exploring more about hunger within America during this Hunger Action Month, we recommend watching the 2012 documentary “A Place at the Table”. It unpacks the link between generational poverty, heath issues, and food insecurity. 
 
It can be streamed on Prime Video, Pluto TV, and Tubi.

TUESDAY

15

Turn your Social Media Time into a Campaign

Turn your social media time into a campaign to change your community for the better! Next time you log on to Facebook or Instagram consider starting a fundraiser on Mercy Center’s behalf to help us combat generational poverty and hunger in Monmouth County. Email fooddrives@mercycenternj.org for more information and tips to get your fundraiser off the ground!

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin

TUESDAY

16

Stay in the Loop

Stay in the loop about the ins and outs of Mercy Center and our programs by subscribing to our newsletter. Click here to sign up! 

TUESDAY

18

Our Most Needed Items

Non-perishable Foods
  • Natural peanut butter
  • Pasta (prefer not spaghetti)
  • Healthy Cereals
  • Canned Beans
  • Dried Beans
  • Canned Soup
  • Oatmeal 
  • Canned Meals
  • Canned Chicken
  • Canned Fish
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Canned Fruit
  • Applesauce
  • Granola Bars
  • Alternative Milk (Almond, Coconut, and Oat preferred)
Low sodium and no sugar added options are always preferred. No glass please.
Toiletries and Hygiene Supplies
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body Wash
  • Lotion
  • Face wash
  • Baby Diapers (Size 3 and up)
  • Baby Wipes
  • Unused Baby Bottles and accessories
  • Adult Diapers
  • Household cleaning supplies
  • Dish Soap (small and large sizes)
  • Laundry Detergent (pods or powder)
  • Feminine hygiene products

TUESDAY

19

Rally Your Community

Rally your community to host a food drive! Whether it is your school, office, or neighborhood, get people involved in making a difference! The more people involved the bigger impact you can have. Check out the list from Day 18 to see what Mercy Center is in need of or send an email to fooddrives@mercycenternj.org to get registered and sent a toolkit. 

TUESDAY

20

Start a Personal Care Item Drive

Did you know that Mercy Center distributes more than just food out of our food pantry? Some of the most requested items from our clients are personal care and household items.
 We are always looking for the following:
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body Wash (liquid or bars)
  • Dish Soap (small and large sizes)
  • Laundry Detergent (pods or powder)
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Razors
  • Shaving Cream
  • Body Lotion
  • Baby Diapers (Size 3 and up)
  • Baby Wipes
  • Unused Baby Bottles
  • Adult Diapers 

TUESDAY

21

Help Combat Inequality

Did you know that Mercy Center operates as a Code Blue Warming Center during the winter months? Last year, Monmouth County had over 100 days below freezing and Mercy Center opened their doors to bring our unhoused neighbors in from the cold. Help us address the costs of this initiative by donating today! Click here to donate to Mercy Center’s Code Blue efforts. 

TUESDAY

22

Download Flyers about Hunger

Turn the common space of your office, school, or community gathering places into a place to learn about hunger. Download flyers about hunger from our tool kit here. 

TUESDAY

23

Holidays are Just Around the Corner

It is never too early to get into the holiday spirit! Would you or an organization you are involved with like to host a food drive to benefit Mercy Center this holiday season? Email fooddrives@mercycenternj.org to register today and get sent a tool kit complete with tips and flyers!

TUESDAY

24

Donate Your Uber Eats

Bring a bagged lunch to work today and donate what you would have normally spent on Uber Eats or dining out! Just this little change can add up to make a massive difference in the lives of your neighbors especially if you invite friends and coworkers to join in on the challenge! 

TUESDAY

25

End Generational Poverty

Mercy Center has been advocating for the end of generational poverty in Monmouth County since 1986. It all started with the Sisters of Mercy handing out food from the back of a car trunk. They saw a need to “relieve misery and address its causes” and thus opened Mercy Center. In these past 40 years, Mercy Center has expanded from just serving our direct neighbors within Asbury Park to serving people all over Monmouth County and the state of New Jersey through our food pantry, our Family Resource Center, and Sisters Academy, our tuition-free, all-girls school. 

Learn more about our history by clicking here!

TUESDAY

26

Learn Why Hunger Persists

If hunger could be solved by just providing enough food to eat, it would have been eradicated a long time ago. Here at Mercy Center we recognize that hunger is not a separate issue but rather it is intrinsically linked to systemic issues and generational poverty. This is why we take an all encompassing approach to address all of our clients needs within the three different sectors of Mercy Center’s organization: food pantry, Family Resource Center, and Sisters Academy. 
 
Click here to learn more about all the different aspects of Mercy Center and how we are working to address the root causes of hunger. 

TUESDAY

27

Sustainable Food Systems

Living in the Garden State comes with so many perks, one of them is our farmers! Having access to local, fresh produce and supporting sustainable food systems is a win for everyone involved. Support these systems by attending local farmer’s markets and shopping at farm to table stores. Did you know that you can even use your EBT card at some farmer’s markets?

TUESDAY

28

Go Orange

Tomorrow is Hunger Action Day so grab a friend and get your orange ready! Post a picture of you wearing orange to show that you are a hunger action hero and make sure to tag us!

TUESDAY

29

Wear Orange

Today is Hunger Action Day! In order to honor it, we ask people to wear orange, the color of hunger, to draw attention to the day. Orange was chosen as the color of hunger because it is loud and hard to ignore much like the feeling of hunger.  
 
Post a picture of you wearing orange today to show that you are a hunger action hero and make sure to tag us!

TUESDAY

30

A Personal Pledge

The battle to end hunger and generational poverty does not end in September. It is a year long endeavor. Make a personal pledge to take action against hunger today and all year long.
 
Whether it is promising to be a monthly donor, regular volunteer, or food security advocate, know that every action adds up to make a large impact and helps to keep food on your neighbor’s plate!