About Us
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America®, works to end hunger by distributing food to more than 800 community partners – including food pantries, soup kitchens, and child and senior feeding programs – and by connecting neighbors in need with supportive solutions.
Our hunger-relief programs address the need by delivering after-school meals and supplemental food for children, providing job training to those seeking a second chance, and teaching people how to eat healthy on a budget. We also partner with government representatives and coalitions to affect long-term change, championing transformative legislation.
Hunger in New Jersey
More than 44 million people in the US are food insecure. Nearly 1,000,000 of them live in New Jersey, including over 260,000 children.
Nearly 675,000 of them reside in CFBNJ’s 15-county service area, including 185,000 children. The majority of households we serve have at least one member with a paying job. Some of our neighbors in need work multiple jobs but still struggle to make ends meet. They often make tough choices - deciding between food and other necessities. Black and Hispanic families, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals, are disproportionately impacted by hunger, facing barriers to economic stability. College students, seniors, and residents of resort towns also face unique challenges that make them more susceptible to food insecurity. Hunger is a major concern for those affected by emergencies, as well. Recently, we have seen pandemics, natural disasters, government shutdowns, and economic downturns increase need.
The State of Hunger in New Jersey
of New Jerseyans are food insecure
of children in New Jersey are food insecure
of Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland County residents face hunger
of kids in South Jersey face hunger
Our History
CFBNJ started almost 50 years ago and is now the largest anti-hunger organization in the state.
1975
Kathleen DiChiara sees the need in the community and begins collecting and distributing food from the back of her station wagon, using her garage as storage and her kitchen as an office.
1982
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, distributing 150,000 pounds of food during the year.
1987
The FoodBank takes over the Salvation Army program serving Atlantic County and expands its hunger relief efforts to South Jersey with a new Southern Branch in Landisville, which would later relocate to Egg Harbor Township.
1991
Check-Out Hunger® launches with 10 founding retail partners, raising over $200,000 statewide and putting food insecurity front and center at 730 supermarkets and convenience stores.
1993
The FoodBank’s headquarters moves to its current home at 31 Evans Terminal in Hillside, a former Kraft factory with 285,000 square feet of warehouse space.
1994
The first Blue Jean Ball annual fundraiser is held on October 22 with an “Age of Aquarius” theme. The event is $75 per ticket and features cocktail hour, a silent auction, and dinner and dancing in the warehouse.
1999
The Kids Cafe program is launched with an initial goal of nourishing up to 500 children per day with dinners prepared in the FoodBank’s newly completed commissary kitchen.
2000
The Food Service Training Academy begins as a 12-week culinary and life skills program to help those in need procure employment in the food service industry.
2001
After the September 11 World Trade Center attack, the FoodBank serves as the processing center for all relief donations arriving from points west and south of New York City, working with the Salvation Army to coordinate emergency supplies and to provide bottled water and meals for rescue workers.
2012
Despite power outages and major flooding in its warehouse, the FoodBank responds to statewide need in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
2015
After 40 years as Executive Director, FoodBank founder Kathleen DiChiara leaves the FoodBank with a legacy of food, help and hope that has touched countless lives.
2017
The FoodBank launches its Hunger as a Health Issue initiative that takes a holistic approach to food insecurity with access to fresh produce, free health screenings, and nutrition education. New programs include Healthy Families Farmers Markets and Food, Health and Hope: An Answer to Diabetes.
2019
New Jersey takes a major step towards expanding food access for neighbors in need as Governor Phil Murphy signs Speaker Craig Coughlin’s comprehensive hunger bill package into law.
2020
The FoodBank was the hub of a robust network of more than 800 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other feeding programs, distributing over 60 million pounds of food annually. The COVID-19 emergency presented new challenges and an uptick in hunger across the state, and the FoodBank pivoted to meet the need.
Today
CFBNJ is the hub of a robust network of more than 800 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other feeding programs, distributing over 90 million nutritious meals annually.
More About Kathleen DiChiara, CFBNJ Founder
Kathleen has received numerous awards, including recognition from three Presidents, three Governors of New Jersey, and even the Pope. She is also a 2013 inductee of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Among the more than 200 executive directors of Feeding America members, Kathleen was selected as the recipient of the John van Hengel Fellow Award for her vision and leadership of one of the most productive food banks in the country. During her 40 years of involvement in distributing food to people in need, she designed and implemented programs to alleviate hunger and poverty that have been replicated by food banks nationwide.
Kathleen has a BS in Education from the State University of New York at Oneonta and eight honorary doctorates from colleges and universities in New Jersey and New York.
Mission, Vision, and Values
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Mission
- We serve as a champion for addressing root causes of hunger, delivering neighbor- centric solutions, and fostering collaborative partnerships across all sectors of society for New Jersey.
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Vision
- Our goal is to reduce food insecurity by 50% in our service area by 2030.
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Values
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We are a culture of caring.
- Compassion: We see people as people, not as their challenges or job titles. We put ourselves in their shoes when we interact with others.
- Inclusion: We collaborate with a generous and flexible mindset. We assume people have the best intentions. We treat all as our neighbors.
- Empowerment: We encourage curiosity and learning that creates growth. We support and celebrate action that benefits our communities, our culture, and each person.
- Accountability: We promise to make a measurable impact on the lives of people in need and provide an honest assessment of our culture of caring.
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