Volunteers across New Jersey spent part of their Thanksgiving lending a hand to help feed the hungry.

There is a 40-year tradition of helping those in need at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. The annual Thanksgiving dinner is the group’s banner event.

Those in need were able to receive all of the Thanksgiving staples, from turkey and gravy to mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Many of these items are outside of the budget for many New Jersey residents due to inflation and rising prices.

A report found that between 2018 and 2020, 1 in 12 households in New Jersey suffered from food insecurity.

The use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increased 23% during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the group Hunger Free New Jersey.

State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said there is an approximate 81% participation in SNAP and 58% for WIC, which he calls a “staggeringly challenging number.” He wants that number to include everyone who needs it.

The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen has been delivering Thanksgiving dinner to 1,200 families for the past six years.

About 4,000 people volunteer every year to be a part of the program. Anyone who would like to volunteer can go to TrentonSoupKitchen.org, call the volunteer office at 609-695 5456 ext. 100 or email Volunteer@trentonsoupkitchen.org.