Over the past few years Lunch Break has made huge achievements in focusing not just on feeding our guests but nourishing them as well. In 2021, we adopted our Healthy Together Nutrition Policy. The Lunch Break Your Choice Pantry now makes every effort to procure healthier food choices for guests. We’ve developed partnerships with the Parker Health Clinic and Visiting Nurses of New Jersey to offer screenings, vaccinations and other health services to our guests and employees. Lunch Break has also established partnerships with Open Heart Yoga and the Red Bank branch of the YMCA to offer opportunities for both movement and mindfulness. And there’s so much more to come…

Shani Love, our new Health and Wellness Coordinator, is passionate about looking at health in a holistic way. She believes that beyond food, clothing and shelter lives a whole host of other ways to aid our neighbors. She wants to build a culture of connection and community with a focus on wellness services that empower individuals to achieve their optimal physical, mental, and emotional well-being. To this end she has begun to implement a comprehensive wellness program for Lunch Break guests and employees. Whether it’s a cooking class, exercise program, karaoke, bingo night, a poetry jam or live music—there’s always food, fun and fellowship to be found at Lunch Break.

Join us for Wellness Wednesdays at Lunch Break, a weekly event dedicated to enriching your health and wellness! Every Wednesday, we partner with community organizations to bring you valuable information about resources available to support you, our cherished community members.

To make Wellness Wednesdays even better for your health, our culinary team serves healthy and delicious buddha bowls!!! It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious, nutritious food while learning about ways to enhance your well-being. Don’t miss out on this unique blend of community, health, and flavor at Lunch Break.

At Lunch Break, our health and wellness programming is essential for those facing financial difficulties, addressing disparities in health access and education. Financial constraints often limit access to nutritious food and healthcare, increasing the risk of chronic diseases. Our program combats this by providing access to healthy food options and wellness education, typically out of reach for cost reasons.

We offer guidance on affordable, nutritious eating and ways to integrate physical activity into daily routines, empowering individuals to take control of their health and break the cycle of poverty-related health issues. Our holistic approach extends to mental well-being, offering a supportive community to alleviate the isolation and stress of financial hardship. This fosters a sense of dignity and self-efficacy, improving both physical and mental health.

Our programming includes workshops and seminars on healthy cooking and balanced diets, regular exercise classes for all fitness levels, and mindfulness sessions, creating a community where individuals can learn, grow, and support each other in their health journeys. More than just a service, our program levels the playing field, enabling everyone to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life, regardless of their financial situation.