On Friday, September 12, from 11:00am – 1:00pm, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) will host a free and festive BBQ meal, offering the public an opportunity to enjoy food, fun and community.
TASK invites the public to stop by 72 ½ Escher Street to enjoy a delicious meal at this outdoor event that will also feature live music from TASK’s house band, The FunkTASKtiks, under a tent at neighboring Capital City Farm. Diners can expect traditional BBQ fare and sides like pasta salad and corn on the cob prepared by the TASK kitchen as well as water ice generously donated by Rita’s of Ewing, NJ.
TASK’s fourth annual community meal will also mark the first under the leadership of Amy Flynn, who joined TASK as CEO in January.
“My journey in life and service has brought me this opportunity at TASK at a time when many are experiencing great hardship and concern about what the future holds,” says Flynn. “While Hunger Action Month brings awareness to the very serious challenges facing our friends and neighbors, I look forward to celebrating the resilience of the TASK community and our shared commitment to a hunger-free tomorrow.”
During the month of September, hunger relief agencies around the country recognize Hunger Action Month, a time to work together to raise awareness about food insecurity, which is surging across the United States. Friday’s event marks an opportunity for TASK to gather diners, staff, volunteers, donors and community partners together to bring attention to this important issue.
Today, TASK is serving roughly 12,500 free, freshly-prepared meals each week at its Escher Street dining room and more than 50 community meal sites across Greater Mercer County, representing an increase of 20% more meals compared to the prior year. Over the past 12 months, TASK has served approximately 630,000 meals – the most ever in one year in its 43-year history. In addition, participation has grown across all of TASK’s programs and services including case management, adult education, workforce readiness training, identification services, creative arts programs and more.
“According to Feeding America, 100% of counties across the United States report people in their communities facing food insecurity,” says Flynn. “The face of hunger isn’t always what people might expect. At TASK, we are committed to feeding everyone who needs a meal – no questions asked – and we are continually working on innovative solutions, like our food truck and community meal program, to break down barriers and improve people’s access to food.”
This Friday also presents an opportunity for TASK to recognize some of its partners who have helped in the fight against hunger over the past year. After the BBQ concludes at 1:00pm, guests are invited to move indoors for a brief ceremony that will feature speakers including Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli, Assemblywoman Tenille McCoy and representatives from Mercer County and the City of Trenton. In addition, TASK will honor Mental Health Association in New Jersey and the NJ Food Fund for their partnership, as well as the late Kathy Wooley, a longtime TASK volunteer and member of TASK’s Board of Directors.
This event is being brought to the community with the support of NJM Insurance Group; Capital Health; Reilly Financial Group, LLC; The Br’Island Group, LLC; CBIZ Borden Perlman; Affinity Credit Union; Lear & Pannepacker, LLP; Hatfield Schwartz Law Group; The Princeton Group; Pennington Quality Market; and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
TASK, which has been serving meals in the Mercer County region since 1982, offers a multitude of resources to encourage self-sufficiency and improve quality of life, including meals, social services, adult education, job search assistance, creative arts enrichment and the provision of basic necessities.