Women Fighting Hunger

In 2022, through a collection of diapers and funds WFH’s #GBDD collected over 360,000 diapers and other necessities for our neighbors in need. In 2023, the #GreatBigDiaperDrive yielded more than 410,000 diapers–a 14% increase from the prior year. We look to 2024 with a new goal of half a million diapers.

In addition to our drive efforts, WFH hosted our third annual #GBDD Lunch and Learn with a panel of local and national advocates including representation from the National Diaper Bank Network. You can watch the Lunch & Learn here.

In 2023, WFH’s #GBPPD collected more than 38,000 period products and raised nearly $13,000! More than a 60% increase over the 2022 total.

More than forty attendees joined us live for this year’s #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive Lunch and Learn which featured speakers from NJCW/Essex, Alliance for Period Supplies, and volunteers from some of CFBNJ’s own Network Partners.

CFBNJ Network Partners with child feeding programs were surveyed by the WFH Nutrition team to collect feedback on meals served at each site. In 2023, volunteers connected 1:1 with pantry managers from 16 Kids Cafe sites and 48 Family Pack sites. Currently, the Child Nutrition team is surveying 8 more Kids Cafe sites in South Jersey.

Our team of volunteers handwrites thank you notes to a list of recent donors as an e.xtra thank you. Our most recent effort led to 196 written letters and more than 200 thank you cards.

Over the last year (January-December, 2023) more than 70 different WFH members volunteered for at least one day at our Hillside warehouse or Egg Harbor Township Community Assistance Pantry on designated WFH volunteer days. Many of those members go back for repeat shifts!

WFH hosted three College Pantry Manager forums to allow for the managers of each pantry to come together to share thoughts, network, and learn from each other.

One of the initiatives born out of these forums with a push from WFH members was the idea to provide pantries with spices and condiments. Many college pantry managers (as well as other managers across our network) have expressed the desire to provide condiments and spices to their clients thus giving their experience dignity and allowing for the opportunity to provide culturally relevant items for cooking. The condiment and spice packing kits are available here.

WFH members in North Jersey joined us in Hillside to pack the bags provided to college students each thanksgiving. Volunteers packed up 925 bags for distribution to the students who use our 12 of our college pantries. In addition to the college bags, volunteers sorted the food donations collected at the 8th Annual Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon. Volunteers packed 50 boxes of food. These donations were made available to our Network Partners.

In addition, 17 members of WFH participated in CFBNJ’s Annual Turkey Drive across 10 locations in North and South Jersey

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey hosted its eighth annual Women Fighting Hunger Luncheon on October 25 and for the second year in a row it was held concurrently in two locations, the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park and the Linwood Country Club. More than 500 guests were in attendance, approximately $350,000 was raised, over 1,000 Healthy Lifestyle Meal Kits were packed during the volunteer hour, and 2,347 pounds of food was brought and donated by attendees. In addition, more than 15 WFH leaders served as ambassadors at both Luncheons to recruit attendees to join as new WFH members.