Last Friday, about 20 members from our church had the privilege of volunteering at the Franklin Township Food Bank (FTFB).
Located in Somerset, New Jersey, FTFB, founded in a church basement in 1975, provides food security and basic needs to individuals and families experiencing hardship. With a small team of dedicated employees and a large network of volunteers, the organization distributes food through its community market, mobile pantries, and senior delivery programs. In 2023 alone, FTFB served over 30,000 individuals and distributed more than 2.8 million pounds of food and over one million pounds of fresh produce, thanks to its generous support of donors and volunteers (14,000+ volunteer hours).
We arrived before 10 AM and were warmly welcomed by staff, many of whom are volunteers themselves. After a brief but helpful orientation from the program director, we got to work organizing shelves, tidying the community market, and cleaning and repacking donated items. Our time there lasted about 1.5 to 2 hours, but the impact felt far greater.
It was a meaningful and fun experience. Not only did we help make the food bank more efficient for the families it serves, but we also enjoyed time together—laughing, chatting, and growing closer as a church community. Knowing that the items we handled will soon be in the hands of those in need was both humbling and rewarding.
The Franklin Township Food Bank thrives thanks to its volunteers. If you’re looking for a hands-on way to give back, connect with others, and make a difference locally, I encourage you to experience this next time. A couple of hours of your time can go a long way in helping our neighbors. Thanks, brother Jimmy Lee (이석), for organizing this impactful and meaningful opportunity!