BE THE CHANGE IN NEW JERSEY

The Federation of New Jersey Food Banks challenges all students, staff, teachers and parents to think of neighbors in need throughout the school year by organizing a food drive and fundraiser at their school, September 11th 2023 – January 12th 2024.

About Students Change Hunger

Students Change Hunger (SCH) is a friendly competition where schools and youth community groups host food and/or fund drives at their schools to help feed our hungry New Jersey neighbors. Schools compete to donate the most food or funds to fight back against hunger in our state between September 2022, and January 2023.

During the 2022-2023 SCH campaign, more than 142 schools and youth groups participated, donating more than 128,000 pounds of food, and raised over $79,000 to benefit their local food banks. Together, these donated resources contributed to 344,353 meals for our neighbors in need.

This campaign helps to meet the need in our communities and teaches students the power of advocacy and outreach. Students are the next generation of leaders, and when they come together to support their communities, great things are possible.

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325,103

meals for neighbors in need

$71,364

donated to local food banks

133,213+

Pounds of food donated

2022/2023 Students Change Hunger State Champion

Congratulations to the 2022 – 2023 Students Change Hunger State Champion, Westfield High School, Westfield, New Jersey! Students collected over 4,800 pounds of food, raised over $1,500, providing over 8,600 meals to help our neighbors in need. Westfield High School has been an active force with SCH for over a decade. The seniors of Westfield HS created a strategic pick-up/drop off plan that involved the entire town of Westfield with a map and schedule. Students went door to door as a technique to engage members of their community, bring awareness, and collect food. Westfield High School is a true testament that when young people come together, the impact is remarkable!

8,000+

meals for neighbors in need

$1,733

donated to local food banks

3,688

Pounds of food donated

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who can participate?

    Any school in the state of New Jersey may participate in the competition, public or private.

  • Does the donated food stay in my area?

    Yes. Your local food bank will receive the food. From there it will get distributed to a local food pantry, soup kitchen, shelter, or feeding program. It will then be given to local people in need.

  • What is a food bank and how does it differ from other feeding organizations?

    A food bank is a large feeding organization that stores and distributes vast amounts of food to smaller feeding organizations. All federal and state food are first given to your local food bank. The food banks then distribute this government food, along with food from local donors, to smaller organizations. Food Banks call these smaller organizations community partners. Community partners could be any type of feeding organization such as a Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, Shelter, After School Feeding Program, Senior Feeding Program, etc. The food then gets distributed by the Agencies to people in need (we refer to these people as Clients). In NJ alone, over 112 million pounds of food is distributed each year by the state’s 5 food banks. This food is then distributed to nearly 2,000 community partners, and in turn, is given to more than 1.2 million New Jersey residents in need.

  • What is the NJ Federation of Food Banks?

    There are 5 food banks in the state, and they make up the Federation.  They are the Community FoodBank of NJFulfill,  the Food Bank of South JerseyMercer Street Friends Food Bank, and NORWESCAP Food Bank.  They are all members of the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, Feeding America.

  • How do I know when and where to drop off the food?

    When you register your school, an e-mail will automatically be sent to the food bank that supports your county.  They will contact you and advise what their hours of operation are, and answer any other questions that you may have.

  • How can I learn more about hunger in NJ and the U.S.?

    There are a lot of resources about hunger.  One of the best resources is Feeding America’s website.  You can also see a study they conducted called Map the Meal Gap.

  • How are the Students Change Hunger awards determined?

    Schools are divided into divisions based on their student population.  Awards will be given to the school donating the most weight in each division.

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