By noon on a Wednesday, the parking lot of HOPE United Methodist Church in Voorhees is packed with lines of cars. Volunteers wearing name tags and smiles wave each one forward, loading bags of fresh groceries into open trunks. Inside what used to be a Bank of America, others pack bags of produce, canned goods, baked goods, frozen meat, and milk in steady rhythm. On many of their shirts, the church’s mission is printed in bold: To become more like Jesus — for the sake of others.
This is HOPE Church’s Food Pantry. What began in a small closet in 2004 now serves more than 2,000 patrons each month. Every 2nd, 4th, and 5th Wednesday, more than 100 volunteers keep the system moving—directing traffic, packing bags, and greeting each guest with dignity.
The need keeps growing.
Rising living costs have stretched families thin, and as of November 1, roughly 42 million people nationwide lost access to SNAP benefits because of the ongoing government shutdown—800,000 in New Jersey and 75,000 in Camden County. Although federal officials announced this week that the government would release contingency funds to cover half of the normal SNAP benefit amount for November, faith and community leaders say it’s not enough to meet the growing need. The impact is felt in HOPE’s surrounding communities.
“We’ve seen more than fifty new families in just the last week,” said Rev. Dave Falcone, who oversees the pantry ministry. “Some told us they never imagined they’d need help. But hunger doesn’t discriminate.”
In 2012, HOPE Church purchased and renovated the shuttered bank on its corner property into meeting spaces. In 2021, the building evolved again—drive-through lanes once used for deposits now carry bags of bread, milk, and fresh vegetables. What was once a place of transactions has become a place of generosity.
Today, HOPE’s food pantry stands among the largest distribution sites in South Jersey, partnering with the Food Bank of South Jersey as food insecurity grows. Each week brings new faces—retirees stretching fixed incomes, parents between jobs, immigrants navigating new beginnings.
This month, HOPE Church is organizing its annual Thanksgiving Box Initiative, inviting families to fill boxes with groceries while community partners donate turkeys for 400 households.
As the last cars pull away, volunteers sweep the lot, tired but smiling. Falcone lingers by the drive-through lane, where a steady stream of generosity has replaced financial transactions.
“When the systems of the world break down,” he said, “the people of God step up. The world runs on scarcity. The Gospel runs on abundance. And we’re here to remind people—there’s still enough grace to go around.”
If you need food assistance:
Visit meethope.org/foodpantry for pantry hours, registration details, and upcoming distribution dates.
If you want to make a donation to support the pantry:
Go to meethope.org/give and select Food Pantry Ministry from the drop-down menu.