Food for Thought at “Soul of Hunger” Event

Some of New Jersey’s most recognized names came to the table, both literally and figuratively, at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on September 30, 2013 for “Soul of Hunger: A Community Discussion Around Hunger in New Jersey.” The afternoon-long event, presented by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, the New Jersey Anti-Hunger Coalition, and the Count Basie Theatre, included a film on hunger in American, a video appearance by Jon Bon Jovi, a discussion with Governor Chris Christie and celebrity chef Tom Colicchio moderated by MSNBC anchor Willie Geist, and panel discussions with those who are impacted by, and those who are striving to solve, the problem of hunger and its consequences.

Hundreds of people filled the Count Basie Theatre as the afternoon began with a free screening of “A Place at the Table,” an eye-opening, powerful documentary about hunger in America that follows the stories of three families who struggle to survive with “food insecurity,” never knowing how and when their next meal will come.

Interweaving stark statistics and visuals with commentary from various experts, activists, and celebrities, the film seeks to dispel false perceptions and stereotypes and explains the reality of how food insecurity comes about, plus the social, cultural, medical, and economic implications it has – not just for those suffering from hunger, but for each and every American. In short, the movie shows that the potential exists to eliminate hunger in this country and that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of everyone.

Following the film and opening remarks by Dorothea Bongiovi and other non-profit leaders, a panel of women from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds sat onstage to share their very personal stories about dealing with hunger. In the lobby of the theatre, a display of oversized, mounted photos they had taken of themselves, their families, and their homes provided illustration for their sad and frustrating circumstances.

The group included a disabled veteran, single mothers and grandmothers struggling to find work after being laid off from longtime jobs, and a registered nurse and mother of five who was forced to cut back her hours to fight cancer. All of them are raising children or grandchildren, and all of them admitted to going without eating in order to have more food to share with their kids. They spoke about the frustrations of applying for assistance, sometimes being denied by seemingly inexplicable reasons. Hunger and food insecurity, it was clear to see, are not just relegated to the unemployed, but are growing problems for the working poor, as well – many of them who were thrust into a downward spiral after Superstorm Sandy.

At the conclusion of the panel discussion, Jon Bon Jovi, chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation and owner of Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, sitting on the set of the Today Show with interviewer Savannah Guthrie, weighed in by video. He noted the need for collaboration between non-profit groups, philanthropists, and all levels of government, saying, “Food is an apolitical issue. Food security is not a privilege. It’s a human right.” The JBJ Soul Foundation assists families in economic distress and has built over 330 units of affordable housing. Soul Kitchen serves nutritious food in a restaurant setting to guests who contribute either a minimum donation or volunteer hours for their meals.

Then began the moderated discussion with Governor Christie and Tom Colicchio, who, in addition to his long and notable experience in the culinary industry, is the executive producer for “A Place at the Table,” directed by his wife, Lori Silverbush. Governor Christie and Mr. Colicchio discussed about the impact of federal funding cuts to food assistance programs (SNAP), and the looming stalemate that threatened to shut down the government.

When asked how he would handle the situation in Washington, the governor said he’d lock the congressional leaders in a room with him until they came to a compromise. Federal cuts to the SNAP program funding are expected to lead to a projected loss of nearly two billion meals beginning this year. Governor Christie stated that one of the most effective ways to improve support and funding is to increase focus on the long-term economic impacts of food insecurity to everyone, which, for some people, would hit harder to home than an emotional plea for action.

Here in New Jersey, an estimated 14% of residents – more than 18% for children – live with food insecurity every day. An estimated one in 10 receives food stamps. Governor Christie pointed out several Garden State programs that are aimed to offer food relief, such as school breakfast and lunches for low-income students, the establishment of 20 family centers to teach parenting and nutrition skills, and NJ Family Care health insurance coverage.

Both men agreed that a big part of the battle is overcoming the stigma associated with hunger. The governor stated that people’s opinions begin to change when they see the problem in their own communities. “While Ocean and Monmouth have their pockets of poverty, they are perceived as fairly affluent counties. When you start seeing the demand in those counties go that high, then it becomes personalized to a lot of folks.” As of this past June, nearly 18,000 families in Monmouth County were participating in SNAP, an 8.2 percent increase over last year. Nearly 23,000 Ocean County families were receiving assistance, up approximately 17 percent from 2012.

The event concluded early in the evening with another panel of community, non-profit, and business leaders to further discuss steps to be taken, and a call to action for everyone to get involved. Contact the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation at www.jbjsoulfoundation.org, the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties at www.fbmoc.org, and the NJ Anti-Hunger Coalition at www.njahc.org.