Rutgers: Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH)

200 Familes Sponsored for the Adopt A Family Program

Thank you to all who adopted a family for the holidays! With your support, 200 families in NJ will have more during the holidays and maybe won’t have to decide, should we eat or have heat?

As you shop for your families, click here for the FAQ and the Toolkit to help you with any questions you may have.

Important Dates to Remember:

December 2nd- campaign ends
December 7-18- pick up and delivery of boxes

**Please remember items should not be gift wrapped!**

RAH Wants Hunger to Take a Holiday

In October, the nation's unemployment rate rose above 10% for the first time since 1983. Long-term unemployment (being without a job for at least six months) is at its highest level since data began to be collected in 1948. (CNNMoney.com)

Over 1.5 million workers are expected to exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of 2009. (Philadelphia Unemployment Project)

As RAH takes stock of its first year, we celebrate the accomplishment of raising over $100,000, donating over 53,000 pounds of food and countless hours of volunteering by the Rutgers Community. Unfortunately, there is still much more to do.

During the holiday season, RAH will be creating holiday baskets for families who are struggling with hunger and poverty. When shopping for your own holiday dinners this season, pick up a few extra items and assist these families to set their table for a bountiful meal and provide them a reason to give thanks. It's time for hunger to take a holiday!

With the U.S. and world economies in crisis, more and more families and seniors are living on the edge of poverty and require urgent assistance. Hunger is real, and it is here-in New Jersey's cities and its suburbs, its rural areas and shore towns.

Consider these statistics:

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey reports a 20% increase in the number of people seeking food assistance.
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the cost of heating a home with natural gas will increase 30% to 50% this winter, while those who use heating oil could face an increase of up to 100%.
Statistics from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey indicate that 40% of households receiving food from the organization had to choose between paying for food and paying rent.
The Poverty Research Institute reports that one out of every five New Jersey families does not earn enough to afford basic necessities-food, housing, and child care-although 85% of these families have at least one working family member.

Needy people in NJ need your help...Take action today!

Donate Food
Take action now by dropping off nonperishable foods, as well as other needed products, at drop-off bins around the university.
Donate Money
Your monetary donation will help food banks feed the hungry.
Donate Time
Interested in tutoring children, providing information technology services to a food bank, or stocking shelves at a food pantry? We have ideas on how to get involved.
How to Plan an Event
Ideas for planning an event, whether it's a food drive, a charity road race, or a bake sale.
Related Links
Resources to help you educate yourself about hunger or find assistance for your family.

RAH in the News