Former New York Giant Christian Peter Announces Event Series To Combat Hunger

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—“We have 100 days,” said NJ NFL Alumni Association President and former New York Giant Christian Peter. Flanked by New Brunswick Council President Suzanne Sicora-Ludwig, Elijah’s Promise Executive Director Michelle Wilson, Soup Kitchen 411 Chairman and Co-Founder Ken DeRoberts, and other hunger advocates, he was outside the New Brunswick soup kitchen to announce a new event series called Taste of the State to combat hunger in New Jersey.

“In 100 days, on May 24, we’re going to have a seven-figure fundraiser headlined by some of the best chefs in the tri-state area, all to support free meals for soup kitchens like Elijah’s,” said Christian Peter. “These soup kitchens work 365 days a year to provide meals for an increasing number of people struggling because of the pandemic. I’m so proud to play a role in supporting their work.”

Against the backdrop of the announcement, Wilson’s hard-working staff were helping distribute hygiene kits donated by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Valentine’s Day chocolates donated by Sicora-Ludwig, and 350 packaged meals from local restaurant The Food Architects—purchased for Elijah’s by longtime partnering nonprofit Soup Kitchen 411.

“Soup Kitchen 411 has provided over 450,000 meals since April 2020, and over 30,000 restaurant-meals to New Brunswick residents, alone. We hope to double that, with a goal of 1,000,000 hot meals across the state in 2022 alone,” said Council President Sicora-Ludwig.

The American Rescue Plan of 2021, along with other COVID-19 recovery measures, provides funding to certain small businesses, but tens of thousands are nearly underwater, especially those in the hospitality industry. Soup Kitchen 411 started buying meals at a profit from local restaurants to ensure they stayed afloat, and ensure soup kitchens like Elijah’s could meet the rising demand for ready-to-serve, nutritious meals.

"Our team has worked so hard during the pandemic, but the need is so great. We're so fortunate to have amazing local restaurants like the Food Architects that put so much heart and soul into their delicious, nutritious meals that our clients love, and so lucky that Soup Kitchen 411 buys these meals at a profit,” said Michelle Wilson, Executive Director at Elijah’s Promise. “Our gratitude runs over.”

Christian Peter has been onsite at Elijah’s for several food service events with fellow NFL Alumni, and half a dozen other locations across the state with Soup Kitchen 411, serving meals and bringing smiles at soup kitchens like Elijah’s in at events hosted by local PBA and State Troopers.

“Soup Kitchen 411 has worked with law enforcement and their other partners to serve almost 500,000 meals directly to New Jersey residents,” said Pete Stilianessis, the newly-retired former President of the New Jersey State Troopers NCO Association and an advocate for Soup Kitchen 411’s unique approach to tackling food insecurity and local economic struggles. “I was thrilled to see so many troopers and police officers jump at the chance to feed their communities. Taste of the State will ensure there are more events for police, community and faith-based organizations, and soup kitchens like Elijah’s to feed their communities.”

Soup Kitchen 411 has active meal distribution programs in 12 counties across New Jersey. To make a tax-deductible donation to Soup Kitchen 411 click here and follow @SoupKitchen411 on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.