September 2025 is the nation’s 18th annual Hunger Action Month. Awareness about hunger in Camden and across the country is perhaps more important this year than ever before as millions bear the brunt of inflation and an imperiled social safety net.
Every zip code in Camden is ‘highly distressed’ according to the Distressed Communities Index. The DCI is a tool created by the Economic Innovation Group (EIG) to map economic well-being across the United States at the zip code level.
Hungry people live everywhere – in cities, in rural communities, in wealthy suburbs – it knows no bounds. Here in Camden County, hunger is debilitating for far too many, particularly in Camden City. According to the Distressed Communities Index, every zip code within Camden City is highly distressed. A distressed community is defined as a geographic area, typically a city, town, or neighborhood, experiencing significant economic hardship and social challenges.
According to United Ways of NJ and RWJBarnabas Health, 33.1% of Camden City residents meet the federal definition of poverty, but an additional 34.1% are considered ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). They earn too much to qualify for income-based support but not enough to meet basic needs, like food, housing, health care, transportation, and childcare. On top of struggling to afford food, Camden County is home to the largest food desert in the state. Access to affordable, healthy food, like fresh fruit and vegetables, is extremely limited to non-existent.
For nearly 50 years, Cathedral Kitchen has served as a critical safety net for our vulnerable neighbors. Like other community kitchens across NJ, we believe food is a basic human right. Eating is not a choice – we all have a right to food. And while the US acknowledges the importance of food security, it does not explicitly recognize a federal right to food. This position is a factor that continually leads to insufficient food access across the country, while hunger is worsening daily.
Feeding America reports that 47% of households receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are still food insecure. In NJ, there isn’t a single county in the state where SNAP benefits actually cover the cost of a nutritious meal. Depending on the county, meals are between 20% and 48% higher than the SNAP benefit of $6.20 per person (Urban Institute).
This life-saving benefit program is woefully under-sized and under-resourced. Community kitchens, like Cathedral Kitchen, have been striving to bridge this gap for decades and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to meet that goal. Food prices are skyrocketing, and need is intensifying. The Budget Resolution bill that was just passed will worsen the situation. It is expected that 215,000 New Jersey residents or more will see a decrease in their SNAP benefit or will lose the benefit entirely due to cuts to the program and changing work requirements – 53% of our guests receive SNAP; 100% struggle to afford enough food.
This September, please join us in taking action to alleviate hunger. Talk to neighbors, friends, and co-workers about hunger and encourage them to get involved – invite them to volunteer with you at Cathedral Kitchen and make a donation. Consider getting involved in hunger advocacy work. Every action you take brings us closer to ensuring a hunger-free nation.
How you can help:
Sign up to Volunteer or Donate Items
Give a donation
Hire CK Catering from the Heart for your next event
For more information about Hunger Action month, visit:
www.feedingamerica.org/take-action/hunger-action-month
