Community FoodBank of New Jersey

"'If I tell you that I’m hungry, then I’m hungry.' This simple sentiment, expressed by one of our neighbors, is one we unfortunately hear more and more. You may have thought that the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — a time of lockdowns and mass unemployment — was also the peak for food insecurity in our state. But a new report released by Feeding America paints a far different picture." Read more about how New Jersey's food banks are standing together with policymakers to address increasing food insecurity in this NJ Spotlight News op-ed, coauthored by the CEOs of CFBNJ, Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, and Norwescap.

Meet Larry, CFBNJ’s Guest Relations Manager, who has served as the “face of the FoodBank” welcoming guests and volunteers for over 16 years. If you've been to CFBNJ's Hillside office, you've likely seen Larry's smiling face checking in guests, managing CFBNJ packages and deliveries, and directing volunteers. Keep watching to find out more about Larry's daily responsibilities and learn why working at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is meaningful to him. 🧡 👋 Want to join our team and pursue a career that makes a difference? CFBNJ is hiring in multiple departments across the organization. Employees receive medical, dental, vision, and mental health benefits, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and 401k matching. #TalentTuesday

Thank you to Wakefern Food Corp. and ShopRite for your steadfast support of Community FoodBank of New Jersey and our workforce development programs. It’s going to take all of us to end hunger and we are grateful for your partnership!

OPPORTUNITY ALERT: shine bright with a NEW career at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey! Explore roles across departments, make an impact, and grow with us. We're hiring in Operations, Facilities, IT, Nutrition Education, Programs, and more. #TalentTuesday

Happy #PrideMonth from CFBNJ! This month, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and the freedom to be unapologetically yourself. With joy, love, and pride, we affirm all unique identities. Meet Ali (she/they), CFBNJ's Assistant Director of Neighbor Experience in South Jersey. They bring food to areas where there are not enough food pantries and soup kitchens to meet the need. In honor of Pride Month, we asked Ali about her work and identity: "I travel across Cape May, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties connecting some of our most rural and isolated neighbors with emergency food. As a visibly queer person, it's both nerve-wracking and joyful to show up in new and unexpected places! I'm so grateful that CFBNJ makes me feel safe to be my most authentic self and that just by showing up, I can remind our neighbors that queer people are everywhere, too."

📣 We have an EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT to make! CFBNJ.org has been completely redesigned! With new and improved stye and functionality, our website is a place to find food assistance, learn how to get involved, and so much more. Visit us online today.

The Feeding New Jersey conference is more than just a meeting — it's a movement! We hosted the second annual gathering of pantries and other local food assistance organizations, in partnership with our fellow New Jersey food banks, Food Bank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, and Norwescap. Together, we discussed best practices and innovative strategies to improve hunger-relief services around the Garden State. About 300 representatives from over 100 nonprofits attended the conference at Rutgers University. The program featured a welcome address by New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, peer-to-peer discussions, a networking lunch, a talk by The Tepper Foundation, and plenary sessions on trauma-informed care and elevating neighbor voices. Thank you to all of the attendees, organizers, and speakers who made this such an incredible day!

Did you know? 2 in 5 people with periods struggle to afford period supplies. THIS SATURDAY, join CFBNJ and our Women Fighting Hunger for our first-ever #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive collection day, in partnership with Village Super Market and Procter & Gamble. From 9 am to 2 pm, volunteers will be at four ShopRite stores across the state collecting period products (pads, tampons, and panty liners) and cash donations to assist New Jerseyans facing period poverty. 🎈 ShopRite of Old Bridge 🎈 ShopRite of Livingston 🎈 ShopRite of Greater Morristown 🎈 ShopRite of Somers Point P&G will match all product donations made that day to help us collect DOUBLE the supplies. Learn more about the #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive, happening throughout the month of May, at cfbnj.org/gbppd.

This week, more than 100 volunteers came from local Starbucks stores to help pack food for food insecure community members through their Global Month of Good volunteering activation. This event builds on Starbucks' longstanding commitment to hunger relief, including support of CFBNJ through programs like Neighborhood Grants, Equitable Food Access grants, and volunteer engagement.

In April, we honor Second Chance Month, which celebrates the foundational belief in fresh starts and new possibilities. It underscores the importance of treating every individual with dignity and respect, regardless of their past involvement in the justice system. Did you know? After Kathleen DiChiara founded CFBNJ in 1975, she prioritized hiring people with backgrounds in the justice system. Today, CFBNJ continues to provide pathways for individuals to rebuild their lives, pursue meaningful employment, and contribute positively to society. Daryl Walker is one such CFBNJ team member who's received a second chance. “This is my home," he said recently, while standing in the FoodBank’s production kitchen. Daryl is CFBNJ's Production Manager, supervising a team that prepares food every day for distribution through our Child Nutrition programs. But, before Daryl came to the FoodBank, he had a lot to overcome. “Both my parents were on drugs,” he said. “And my dad died when I was 13. I started to sell drugs when I was about ten because we didn’t have food.” Growing up, Daryl was in and out of prison. He went into a halfway house in 2010 – and they told him about the FoodBank’s free cooking school, the Food Service Training Academy. He applied, was accepted, and graduated at the top of his class in 2012. While in the program, he learned kitchen skills and food safety – and some things that aren’t in a textbook. “I learned discipline,” he said. “Every morning, I had to catch a train and a bus to get to the program on time. I learned how to be patient and I learned how to work with people.” And, he learned self-worth. “I didn’t think I was going to live past 21,” he admits. “Once I got to the FoodBank, I learned I had more to offer. And now – more than ten years after he graduated – Daryl is home at the food bank, but he’s also branching out. In addition to being the production manager, he has opened his own catering company and a line of seasonings that he sells online. “The FoodBank gave me a shot,” he said. “And I showed them who I really was.”