Given the mission of the Food Bank of South Jersey to provide an immediate solution to the urgent problem of hunger, the goals of the Hope Mobile are to:

• Distribute food in remote areas currently  not served or inadequately served by food pantries and other emergency feeding programs;
• Assist existing FBSJ members in meeting the expanded need for their services;
• Provide a range of complementary services during distributions such as nutrition education, health screenings and access to government resources in order to improve the health and self-efficacy of people served by the Hope Mobile.

How the Hope Mobile Works

Each distribution is designed to serve a minimum of 100 families with at least 4,000 lbs. of food. The Food Bank of South Jersey is committed to providing the best available food. The food delivered consists of pre-packed family boxes (20 to 25lbs of donated canned and dry goods providing approximately three meals a day for three days for a family of 4) and fresh produce when available. Food provided in the family boxes has been screened for defects, expiration dates and other issues to ensure its fitness for consumption. Produce is received directly from local farms and is often fresher than identical items available at supermarkets.
 
The Food Bank of South Jersey works with local organizations to determine a date, time and location for each distribution. In the weeks prior to the distribution, prospective recipients are screened for eligibility to receive food from the Hope Mobile. In addition, volunteers are recruited and trained to work on the day of the distribution.
 
The distribution itself lasts for 2 to 3 hours depending on the number of people being served. The Hope Mobile will arrive at least one hour prior to a distribution and will remain on site to remove any remaining food at the conclusion of the event. Initial distributions will likely include significant involvement of Food Bank staff. As the sponsoring organization and volunteers gain familiarity and experience with the distribution process, it is our hope (and goal) that the sponsoring agency will be able to run the distribution independently with little, if any, assistance from the food bank.