TLDR: While helping my brother at his food pantry in New Jersey, I was reminded that hunger is not just a physical issue but a moral one—and that the Church must continue to respond with compassion and generosity as need grows in every community.

I have had three very busy days at Father English Community Center in Paterson, New Jersey. When I decided to take my continuing education course at my brother Carlos’ pantry, as I did last year, I thought I would repeat what I did last year: study in the mornings and volunteer at the Pantry in the afternoons. But things have changed greatly in a year. For starters, he now has three pantries, one of them in Franklyn township, a fairly affluent town. Hunger has crossed inner city boundaries and is now affecting areas formerly considered wealthy. Then, there is the increase in meals distributed on a monthly basis, from 22,000 monthly in 2024 to nearly 30,000 monthly in 2025. Lastly, several of the agencies that provided him with workers, like The Urban League, or Work First New Jersey, have lost their federal funding and stopped providing workers. So, Carlos and a handful of workers and volunteers are doing twice as much, with fewer resources, for a growing population that now includes unemployed white-collar workers.

I jumped in with both feet and took one of the former employee’s jobs. I have been picking up food in a number of Roman Catholic Churches and dropping it off at the various pantries. Then in the evenings, we eat supper, he does his paperwork, and I study.

As I drive to some of the most beautiful towns in Sussex County to large, wealthy Catholic Churches with impressive cemeteries and schools, I find myself reflecting on my own life and ministry. In many ways, Saint Dunstan’s is incredibly blessed. We live in a bit of a bubble of like minded, generous, well off, spirit-filled disciples of Jesus, and with a few exceptions, few of us have difficulties accessing food or clothing.

But we must look beyond the safety of our own comfortable circles. Need is worsening in many of our own communities. Not just unpaid federal workers, but unemployed and under-employed people on the verge of homelessness.

The Church has become the only safety net available for people in need, and this as true in Texas as it is in New Jersey. More will be required of us as federal resources dwindle and hunger increases. At a talk to a group of potential funders this morning, Carlos said, “Hunger is more than a physical issue, it is primarily a moral issue. Hunger affects how you see the world, how you feel about yourself, how you think about your dignity, and how you relate to others. Hunger posses a challenge to the disciples of Jesus. How can we be comfortable in our wealth when children deal with hunger pains under bridges or in tenement houses?”

Driving to Saint Joseph’s, Mendham, a predominantly Catholic town, where the average home costs over a million dollars, I reflected on his brief speech. He is absolutely correct. Hunger is a moral issue.

I am so proud of you all. You are one of the most generous communities I know. We have done so much for so many over the last five years, and we are just getting started. Please join me in prayer for our country and the many communities being ravaged by poverty and despair.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to help Carlos and his people this week. This experience always strengthens my faith and reminds me of the many ways in which God has blessed us at home.

I will see you all on Sunday. Blessings to all,

Fr. Roman+