OUR STORY
In 1992, Hands of Hope, Inc. began serving the community as a food pantry, soup kitchen, and limited clothes closet. Today, the program continues to operate from St. James Church in Edison, NJ. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based organization, Hands of Hope remains committed to providing an efficient and effective system for distributing food to alleviate hunger, one family at a time. We operate entirely with the help of volunteers, as we do not have any paid staff.
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In March 2020, in response to the onset of COVID-19, Hands of Hope revamped its operations to ensure the safety of our volunteers and clients. We transitioned to a drive-up model, allowing clients to remain in their cars while volunteers placed food directly into their vehicles. This method streamlined our process and enabled us to meet the increasing demand. Throughout the pandemic, our generous supporters continued to keep our shelves stocked and contributed over $300,000 in monetary and in-kind donations.
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Throughout late 2023 and early 2024, Hands of Hope faced another uphill challenge as the demand for food skyrocketed by nearly 40% compared to prior years. The board and volunteers worked tirelessly to increase donations and improve efficiency in the drive-thru line. We expanded our partnership with the Community Food Bank of NJ to ensure our shelves remained stocked and continued to meet the needs of our community.
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On Saturday, July 19, 2025, we proudly dedicated our pantry in honor of our beloved founder, Jackie Goedesky, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for everything Hands of Hope has become. Jackie’s dream, which began over 30 years ago, was simple yet powerful—to make sure no one in our community went hungry. What started as a small pantry has now grown into a lifeline for hundreds of families each month. Naming the pantry the Jackie Goedesky Pantry at Hands of Hope for the Community ensures her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we serve Middlesex County and beyond.
We are proud to collaborate with a network of local food banks, churches, schools, and other organizations to provide our members with meals, groceries, and other essential resources. These partnerships enable us to offer comprehensive services to those in need, ensuring everyone in our community has access to nutritious food. We are deeply grateful for the support and efforts of our partners, who share our vision of a hunger-free community. Together, we work towards sustainable solutions, leveraging each other's strengths to maximize our impact and expand our reach, serving more individuals in need.
OUR MISSION
At Hands of Hope, a non-profit community-based organization, we are dedicated to alleviating hunger through an efficient and effective centralized food distribution system. Our mission is to sustain good nutrition, health, and human dignity, enabling individuals to reach their full potential and silence the pain of hunger. Join us in making a difference in our community by donating food, making a monetary contribution, or volunteering your time. Together, we can fight hunger and foster hope.