TASK’s Ana Reyes serves a meal to a Trenton senior from the TASK Food Truck, which launched in March.
Enhancing access
As the community has emerged from the unprecedented experiences of the pandemic, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) has likewise seen an unprecedented surge in need. The TASK team quickly recognized that the path forward would need to be visionary, flexible and bold. In March, TASK launched its first food truck, an innovative approach to reducing barriers and improving access to food throughout the Trenton area. Today, the truck is serving nearly 1,000 meals per week in neighborhoods throughout Trenton. In addition, the TASK kitchen is preparing and serving some 10,000 meals per week at its Escher Street dining room and 35 community meal sites across the area (including two in Bucks County).
By adding more distribution points throughout the greater Trenton community, TASK is helping to connect an increasing number of people, including seniors and children, to nourishing, delicious meals that help them thrive.
At its headquarters, TASK is investing in enhancing the patron experience by adding floor staff, improving flow and ensuring there are more bilingual speakers available. TASK has also enhanced its workforce development program to include digital literacy and soft skills training to help people on the path to self-sufficiency. Through programs like creative arts classes, identification services and case management, TASK offers a convenient, one-stop opportunity to improve quality of life.
The results are encouraging: TASK served more than 530,000 meals in the past year – a record-breaking number – and more than 7,000,000 meals since its founding in 1982. But perhaps more importantly, the community continues to see TASK as a critical resource. Reports one diner, “The people [at TASK] are kind. They care. I feel respected.”
Founded in 1982, TASK now serves roughly 11,000 meals a week at its Escher Street dining room and across the Trenton area, including lower Bucks County. This Hunger Action Month, learn more about how you can help at trentonsoupkitchen.org.