For Alan Levitan, 27 years on CFBNJ’s Board of Directors was more than a professional role. It was a commitment to tackling food insecurity and helping children, two causes that resonate deeply with him.
“I served on the board for 27 years, which is more than half of the existence of our organization,” he shared.
Alan’s journey with the FoodBank began during his time as CEO of Kings Food Markets. “At that time, most of the board was food-related,” he recalled, listing representatives from supermarkets like A&P, Pathmark, and ShopRite.
Kathleen DiChiara, the FoodBank’s founder, extended a personal invitation to Alan: “She invites you to the FoodBank, drives you around in her golf cart, and by the time you finish that tour, you’re either giving $100,000 or you’re joining the Board. I chose to join the Board.”
Kathleen’s energy and leadership left a lasting impression. “Kathleen founded it. Kathleen ran it. She was a natural leader who was so committed and so energetic for her mission that, quite honestly for me, it was love at first sight,” Alan reflected.
Over the years, Alan worked as vice chair and on the executive committee alongside several board chairs and contributed significantly to the governance and future of CFBNJ. When he stepped down in 2023, Alan tried to ensure strong leadership for the FoodBank’s next chapter.
“One of my goals was to ensure that there were really good people in place, even better than those of us who were rotating off. As governance chair, that was one of my responsibilities.”
For Alan, his time with the FoodBank was also filled with memorable moments. One Saturday, while volunteering, Bruce Springsteen showed up unannounced.
“He walked in by himself, started to work as a volunteer, and someone said to him, ‘You know, you look just like Bruce Springsteen.’ He laughed and said, ‘I’m mistaken for him all the time,’ before continuing his work.” It was a testament to the humility and quiet dedication shared by many who support the FoodBank.
Alan reflected on the profound impact of Kathleen’s leadership. “What I remember the most is when Kathleen looked at me with her piercing blue eyes and said, ‘Thank you for all you do for the FoodBank.’ That was it. That was all that I ever needed.”
As CFBNJ celebrates its 50th year, Alan’s legacy as a dedicated board member and advocate for the mission of the FoodBank is clear. “When you think about the mission of the FoodBank, it couldn’t have been a better match for me,” he said, proud of the organization’s continuing work and future potential.