Triada Stampas has a great deal of empathy for those rely on Fulfill, a food back that's based in Neptune Township.
The President and CEO of Fulfill has more than two decades of experience driving systems change across nonprofit and government sectors, which impact those facing food insecurity, But Stampas understands where those in need are coming from due to her upbringing in New York.
"I was raised in a working class family in Sunnyside, Queens," Stampas said. "My parents were newcomers to this country trying to build a future for themselves. While we did not depend on food banks growing up, we had other forms of help when times got tough, such as food stamps (now dubbed SNAP), for example and school meals. My upbringing definitely shaped how I see the people who rely on Fulfill for the food on their tables, as whole human beings, with family lives, community connections and dreams as rich and meaningful as my own. I see and honor their strength and resourcefulness, feeding a family on a limited budget is not easy!"
So Stampas and her colleagues at Fulfill, accelerates food security throughout Monmouth & Ocean Counties by leading a collaborative movement that connects people to food and related resources while also addressing systemic barriers to self-sufficiency and well being.
Stampas' work is imperative since many people are suffering from food insecurity than prior to lockdown .
"The need for food assistance has continued to rise since the pandemic," Stampas said. "Through our network of nearly 300 pantries, kitchens and community food distribution programs across Monmouth and Ocean counties, we're serving more than twice as many people as we did before COVID. Families who once got by are now struggling with rent, child-care and groceries all rising at once. It's time to abandon any preconceived notions of what the face of hunger looks like, in a state where the cost of living is as high as ours, many are working, caring for children or aging parents and still can't make ends meet."
Fulfill's network of 289 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day programs and group homes are helping bridge the gap for the needy. However, it's not easy since Fulfill is facing great challenges to meet everyone's needs.
"Right now the biggest challenge is serving record-high numbers of people in a volatile environment, from supply chain disruptions to sudden changes in SNAP or other safety net programs," Stampas said. "It feels like at any given moment, the ground can shift beneath our feet. What happens in Washington or Trenton isn't abstract to us, it directly affects the number of people who show up at our doors. To further challenge us, our warehouse is at capacity. It was built in 2001, at a time when Fulfill was distributing about three million pounds of food! This past year, out of the same warehouse, we distributed more than 18 million pounds of food! We are bursting at the seams, and are actively praising funds to expand our warehouse so we can be better equipped to respond to the need. It's especially important in times like these that our mission remains our North Star, which is making sure hunger never wins in our community."
It's been particularly challenging over recent years for Fulfill having dealt with the pandemic and Hurricane Sandy.
"They were different kinds of crises, and both reshaped how we serve," Stampas said. " After Superstorm Sandy, we realized our hunger response is only as strong as our local partners. That insight changed how we support our pantry partners, and it also inspired the creation of the BEAT Center in Toms River. The pandemic, and the inflation that followed, reinforced the importance of providing nutritious foods like protein, produce, and dairy — and of using innovation, like drive-through distributions, to meet people with dignity. Each challenge has strengthened Fulfill’s adaptability and commitment to our mission."
One of the greatest proponents in the fight against hunger in New Jersey is Bruce Springsteen. The Boss has had food bank stations at his shows for more than a generation. Springsteen, who never forgot his humble start in Asbury Park, always calls attention to the food banks and how instrumental they are throughout New Jersey.
"Bruce is a Garden State treasure!," Stampas said. "He has always understood that hunger isn't just about food. It's about fairness, dignity and belonging. He summed it up perfectly decades ago when he said, 'Remember, in the end, nobody wins unless everybody wins.' Not only has he been personally generous to Fulfill and food banks across the country, he's used his platform to inspire others to give and to keep the spotlight on the simple truth, which is that no one should go hungry, especially in a country like ours. That message resonates deeply with all of us doing this work."
Fulfill can't achieve its altruistic goals alone. Stampas encourages the community to help by donating and volunteering. "Every dollar helps provide food and vital services to our neighbors," Stampas said. "Volunteers are the heart of Fulfill. They sort food, pack boxes and help distribute meals across our two counties. Whether someone gives time, money, or voice, it all matters. I encourage everyone with an interest in supporting our mission to check out our website – fulfillnj.org – and choose a way to help that is meaningful to them."
When Stampas earned her masters in Social Anthropology at Harvard, she never envisioned a career with a food bank.
"Not at all," Stampas said. "What drew me to anthropology was understanding how people understand and navigate the world around them, how culture, systems, and daily life intersect. I didn’t know it then, but those same skills, listening deeply, seeing connections, understanding systems, are central to this work. My path through hunger policy and advocacy to leading Fulfill feels like a natural evolution of that early curiosity about how we build communities that work foreveryone."
Fulfill and Stampas isn't just trying to end food insecurity, the non-profit is also attempting to eliminate the stigma of those in need.
"We start by changing the narrative," Stampas said. "Everyone needs help sometimes – that is a universal human truth. Seeking help is an act of strength and care for one’s family, and we need to say that out loud. For many of our neighbors, getting food on the table requires incredible time, effort, and resourcefulness. People who turn to Fulfill aren’t looking for a handout — they’re looking for stability during a tough stretch."
Stampas has a loaded schedule but fortunately it's not all work and no play for the driven Asbury Park resident. Stampas unwinds when she can in her adopted hometown. "I love the energy of Asbury Park, the music, the food, the beach, the creativity of the people who live here. I find joy in simple things: walking the boardwalk in winter, exploring new restaurants, and supporting local arts. It’s a community that feels alive and connected, and that sense of vitality fuels me."
"It's time to abandon any preconceived notions of what the face of hunger looks like, where the cost of living is as high as ours."
There's one thing that has taken Stampas back during her run leading Fulfill. ""(It's)The level of ingenuity and compassion in this community," Stampas said. "I’m constantly struck by how resourceful people are, both those we serve and those who support us. From small pantries figuring out new ways to reach homebound seniors to volunteers who show up week after week, the creativity and heart in this work never cease to amaze me.