Feeding Our Heroes | Feeding NJ's veterans and first responders

Mission Statement

At Feeding Our Heroes, we feel it is the responsibility of the community to collaboratively end food insecurity for New Jersey's veterans and to keep our first responders strong during times of crisis.

Our Story

Starting in 2005 with a simple idea of restoring a local food institution, Feeding Our Heroes founder Michael Giunta purchased Bayway Diner. After receiving national recognition by airing on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, Bayway Diner expanded into Bayway Catering. Now occupying a corporate cafeteria and serving 900+ workers each day, Bayway Catering realized the opportunity to give back to those who serve us in times of need by starting NJ food charity, Feeding Our Heroes.

Since its inception in 2021, Feeding Our Heroes has fed thousands of veterans using several different programs that have supported first responders through disaster relief. We celebrate our local heroes, salute our military personnel and veterans, and improve awareness around food insecurity in the community.

Did you know:

11%

of working-age veterans live in a food-insecure household.

Food Insecurity Among Veterans, Rand Corporation, 2023

4.6%

of veterans receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in NJ.

Veterans Receiving SNAP Benefits by State, USDA, 2021

33%

of disabled veterans suffer from food insecurity, a higher percentage than non-disabled veterans.

Food Insecurity Among Working-Age Veterans, USDA, 2021

Serving Our Heroes

We all rely on veterans to be heroes when they are serving us in times of need. It is our mission to make sure when they return home to the land they protect, they still feel like the true heroes they are. No veteran, essential worker, or first responder should ever be without food.

How to help >

The Impact of Veteran Food Insecurity

Programs

Kitchen Takeover

Every municipality has a local VFW Hall or Church with a fully functioning kitchen. Feedingourheroes.org has the staff, inventory, and delivery vehicles to prepare, serve, and deliver hundreds of meals to local veterans, seniors, and first responders in times of need.

Disaster Relief Truck

Our Disaster Relief Truck is ready 24/7 to bring nourishment to first responders and victims during natural disasters and times of crisis.

How to Help

By Mail

Send your check or money order by certified mail to:

Feeding Our Heroes

55 Leonardville Rd.

Belford NJ 07718

By Phone

Call in your donation today:

(732) 769-7951

By Email

Email a pledge with your name and contact number to mgiunta@feedingourheroes.org, and a certified donation representative will contact you.

Donate Meals

If your organization would like to donate meals, fill in our Donate Meals form.

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Giunta, mgiunta@feedingourheroes.org, or call (732) 769-7951.