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:
of working-age veterans live in a food-insecure household.
Food Insecurity Among Veterans, Rand Corporation, 2023
of veterans receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in NJ.
Veterans Receiving SNAP Benefits by State, USDA, 2021
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
Disaster Relief Truck
When the Veterans you’re serving turn around and want to give back… your heart feels it.
A veteran we met this weekend offered to donate to Feeding Our Heroes, and we’re still emotional!
We salute YOU, thank you for your service and are so grateful to have met you
❤️ 🤍 💙
#FeedingOurHeroes #VeteransSupport #GratefulHearts #CommunityLove #GivingBack
Our team at Feeding Our Heroes had the privilege of serving veterans who have given so much of themselves for all of us.
Seeing their smiles, and sharing a moment around a warm meal reminds us why we do this. Not for recognition. Not for credit. But because service deserves to be met with service, and sacrifice deserves to be met with love.
To every veteran we served today: thank you for your courage, your strength, and your sacrifice.
We are forever grateful to give back in even the smallest way.
Thank you for the warm smiles you gave us and the stories you shared ❤️ 🤍 💙
#FeedingOurHeroes #VeteransFirst #GratefulHearts #ServiceWithLove #honor
As our team was feeding veterans today, we met Sarge, and we feel compelled to share a piece of his story.
Sarge is a war veteran who was stationed in Syria. During his service, he experienced sad losses . His soldier handler did not survive, and neither did his K9 brother. 💔
Sarge did everything he was trained to do. He served with loyalty, courage, and heart!
Today, meeting him reminded us that service didn’t stop for Sarge, he continues to be a faithful companion of a Veteran.
The sacrifices made by our veterans—both human and in this case this K9—live on long after the battlefield. Their stories matter. Their bravery matters. And honoring them, even in small ways like offering a meal, matters more than words can say.
Sarge was diagnosed with terminal cancer 6 months ago and given 2 weeks to live.
Today we SERVED SARGE!
We are grateful to have done so!
❤️ 🤍 💙
#k9 #veteran #feedingourheroes #thankful
Felt like -17 degrees in Glen Gardner, NJ today, yet the smiles of the veterans we fed kept our hearts warm! ❤️ 🤍 💙
#veterans #feedingourheroes
Wishing our friend & mentor @guyfieri the HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS!
Your passion and hard work inspires us everyday! ❤️ 🤍 💙
@guysfoundation
Came home to a package that made us a little emotional today ..
Feeding our heroes isn’t about recognition—it’s about giving back.
Still, being SEEN and appreciated reminds us that this mission matters.
We are so thankful for the support, love, and encouragement that keeps this nonprofit going. Especially from our mentor and supporters @guysfoundation @guyfieri
Thank you!! ❤️ 🤍 💙
Feeding our heroes has been the highlight of our year. Looking forward to doing it again in 2026!
Thank you for your service—today and everyday.
❤️ 🤍 💙
Feeding Our Heroes was proud to support the New Jersey Veterans Stakeholders Group. Standing with & feeding those who served us.
❤️ 🤍 💙
#feedingourheroes #veterans #servingveterans #kindnessmatters
Feeding Our Heroes was honored to serve at the Jersey City stakeholders meeting, surrounded by veteran resources from across the state. Being in a room filled with organizations dedicated to supporting those who served reminded us why this work matters. Proud to stand alongside those who continue to serve our veterans—one plate, one moment, one act of care at a time.
❤️ 🤍 💙
The founder of Feeding Our Heroes is taking the mission beyond the kitchen—bringing attention to the people who served us!
We can’t repay their sacrifice, but we can feed them with dignity and love. ❤️ 🤍 💙
We packed it up on a Sunday and set off to feed heroes as well as families of currently deployed heroes.
We shared tears, smiles and hugs.
Families were fed and gifts handed to children.
Simply because we really are the land of the free because of the brave!
Your families are proud! Your country is proud!
THANK YOU HEROES! ❤️ 🤍 💙
We had the pleasure of FEEDING OUR HEROES this weekend..
Your courage and kindness touched our hearts! An event our team will never forget!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
❤️ 🤍 💙
How to Help
By Mail
Send your check or money order by certified mail to:
Feeding Our Heroes
1873 Compass Court
Toms River, NJ 08753
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.
Get in Touch
24/7 Contact Support Line
- 1873 Compass Court
Toms River, NJ 08753