The government shutdown may be over, but the residual effects are hitting local food pantries hard as the need for Thanksgiving meals is approaching levels never seen before.  

People waited out the long lines at the annual turkey dinner distribution at Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean counties in Neptune Township.  

Vehicle after vehicle, volunteers jump into action like a NASCAR pit crew, loading turkeys, veggies, and all the fixings needed for a Thanksgiving feast.

“We are likely to be in record territory,” said Triada Stampas, the president and CEO of Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean counties.  

Once one car is loaded, the next one pulled in, one after another as the line at times stretched a mile down Route 66.  

“People need these turkeys. They know it. They’re patient. They understand. It’s a need,” said Dan Wolk, communications manager for Stop & Shop, a partner of Fulfill.  

The need is so great at the Jersey Shore this year; it even surpassed the dark days after Superstorm Sandy.  

“We distributed within the first 12 days of the month an additional 100,000 pounds of food beyond what we already would, so we are in replenishment mode,’ said Stampas.  

In all, more than 2000 meals will leave Fulfill’s Neptune Township headquarters, a number up 80% over last year’s Thanksgiving turkey giveaway.  

“The fact that the shutdown happened only made it ten times worse and so we’re really trying to support Fulfill,” said Wolk.  

Stop & Shop donated 1,000 turkeys to Fulfill, part of a greater response all over the Northeast.  

“Food should not be a luxury; it should really be a right,” Wolk added.  

“If there’s a silver lining to the experience of the past month, it is seeing the community step up to support neighbors who need the help at this moment,” said Stampas.  

Next week, Fulfill will return to its regular Friday pop-the-trunk grocery distribution.