our vision | Our mission
The mission of Papa Jim's Comfort Kitchen is to eradicate the pervasive problem of food insecurity in our community by raising awareness, partnering up and connecting with those in need of a hot meal or home provisions. We are driven by our VALUES and PRINCIPLES and are always committed to responding to the needs of our community so that no one is denied the opportunity or assistance to become self-sufficient through food distribution, support and education.
Our mission began in earnest on the fateful day of March 16, 2020. This is when Covid-19 shut down our world. That day restaurants and other food outlets in New Jersey had to close their doors. We didn’t know it at the time, but some would never re-open.
We have always been involved with charitable causes, but we felt this was going to be different. We knew there would be an increasing need for meals for the families who have lost their jobs and any source of income. We just didn’t know that it would be this long or this bad.
Our supply chain broke down, as well. We watched in horror as the news broadcasted the destruction of food supplies at their source. With no way to get the fresh produce to market, huge piles of vegetables were being bulldozed under. Massive barrels of milk were being dumped down the drain.
So, we connected with our local restaurants, purveyors, farmers, producers and distributors to see what they had in inventory, that would spoil if not consumed. We began to collect anything and everything that was available. Then we started to cook.
We were astonished to see how much need was out there. We live in one of the most affluent counties in the country, yet there it was - crippling food insecurity right here in our own community.
Just as things were in full swing, the food surplus started to dry up. Our vendors and donors had cut their supplies to bare minimum. That is when we first partnered with the local food banks. We were so shocked to see how much fresh food that they were forced to toss away. The reason given? No chefs.
Chefs, this was our wakeup call. Let’s remember what we value most, our creed - no food wasted, and no one goes hungry. It’s time to get cooking.
With all good intentions, yet how ignorant we were to think that giving someone in need a box of fresh produce would mean they could make a nutritious vegetable soup. Or a frozen turkey would become Thanksgiving Dinner. It was a big assumption to think that everyone has the means and the knowledge to complete the meal. That is where we chefs come in.
We were now partnered up with the Franklin Food Bank - but unfortunately, we lost the use of our kitchen. The location we were in decided to pull back. Miraculously this is when our benevolent friends at The Branchburg Rotary and Bound Brook Presbyterian Church stepped in and saved the day. The Rotary has an illustrious history of attracting the most compassionate members - willing to personally support so many causes, locally and globally. They saw what we were trying to accomplish and jumped right in. Two of the Rotary’s most dynamic members (who are now on PJCK’s Board of Directors), fostered a relationship with the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church for us to be able to cook in their currently unused kitchen space. In return, the church would be a benefactor of some of the finished meals we produce. Thus began, The “NOT JUST SOUP” Kitchen. This started in January of 2021 and continues strongly today.
Here are some of the highlights of what we’ve accomplished so far:
We have been able to accomplish all this with generous donations from very philanthropic members of our community (mostly via The Branchburg Rotary). We have kept the costs to a minimum due to plentiful food donations. We would love to see our vision of a world without hunger, realized. However, for now, the need for our efforts keeps increasing.
And now... we are looking to grow.
Our mission began in earnest on the fateful day of March 16, 2020. This is when Covid-19 shut down our world. That day restaurants and other food outlets in New Jersey had to close their doors. We didn’t know it at the time, but some would never re-open.
We have always been involved with charitable causes, but we felt this was going to be different. We knew there would be an increasing need for meals for the families who have lost their jobs and any source of income. We just didn’t know that it would be this long or this bad.
Our supply chain broke down, as well. We watched in horror as the news broadcasted the destruction of food supplies at their source. With no way to get the fresh produce to market, huge piles of vegetables were being bulldozed under. Massive barrels of milk were being dumped down the drain.
So, we connected with our local restaurants, purveyors, farmers, producers and distributors to see what they had in inventory, that would spoil if not consumed. We began to collect anything and everything that was available. Then we started to cook.
We were astonished to see how much need was out there. We live in one of the most affluent counties in the country, yet there it was - crippling food insecurity right here in our own community.
Just as things were in full swing, the food surplus started to dry up. Our vendors and donors had cut their supplies to bare minimum. That is when we first partnered with the local food banks. We were so shocked to see how much fresh food that they were forced to toss away. The reason given? No chefs.
Chefs, this was our wakeup call. Let’s remember what we value most, our creed - no food wasted, and no one goes hungry. It’s time to get cooking.
With all good intentions, yet how ignorant we were to think that giving someone in need a box of fresh produce would mean they could make a nutritious vegetable soup. Or a frozen turkey would become Thanksgiving Dinner. It was a big assumption to think that everyone has the means and the knowledge to complete the meal. That is where we chefs come in.
We were now partnered up with the Franklin Food Bank - but unfortunately, we lost the use of our kitchen. The location we were in decided to pull back. Miraculously this is when our benevolent friends at The Branchburg Rotary and Bound Brook Presbyterian Church stepped in and saved the day. The Rotary has an illustrious history of attracting the most compassionate members - willing to personally support so many causes, locally and globally. They saw what we were trying to accomplish and jumped right in. Two of the Rotary’s most dynamic members (who are now on PJCK’s Board of Directors), fostered a relationship with the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church for us to be able to cook in their currently unused kitchen space. In return, the church would be a benefactor of some of the finished meals we produce. Thus began, The “NOT JUST SOUP” Kitchen. This started in January of 2021 and continues strongly today.
Here are some of the highlights of what we’ve accomplished so far:
- Just from the church we have served over 50,000 portions of soup, pastas and entrees to date
- We partnered with Costco, BJ’s, Wegman’s, Shop Rite, Trader Joe’s and Target to pick up their surplus items and to cook-up and/or re-distribute. This helps keep our costs down and their paid-for products are not wasted.
- We immediately redistribute their ready-to-eat items - baked goods, salads, fruit, canned goods, frozen entrees. We take the rest of the perishables and cook them up!
- To do this, we have a tireless team of volunteers who are at the ready when the call comes in for a pick up. They do this with their own vehicles on their own time.
- We partnered with the local food banks to help them with their own inventories.
- Wagner Farm, Pittstown Farm and The Giving Garden supply us with the most remarkable produce.
- We obtained a large container freezer, refrigerator and storage space so that nothing goes to waste.
- We have a dedicated team of Rotary volunteers who deliver our soups and meals every week to those in need, but don’t have the ability to get to us.
- The “Sunday Food Pantry” at BBPC is run by a devoted team of church members, along with our partnership.
- Much love to Diane, D’Maris, Cori and of course, Ted. They are amazing!
- Since September 2021, The Panty has served over 15K local residents at the church!
We have been able to accomplish all this with generous donations from very philanthropic members of our community (mostly via The Branchburg Rotary). We have kept the costs to a minimum due to plentiful food donations. We would love to see our vision of a world without hunger, realized. However, for now, the need for our efforts keeps increasing.
And now... we are looking to grow.
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p: 732.232.3984
e: jim@papajimscomfortkitchen.com
e: jim@papajimscomfortkitchen.com