Our 50th anniversary in 2025 marks a monumental milestone—a time to reflect with pride on our journey, which began in 1975 when our late founder, Kathleen DiChiara, distributed food from her station wagon in Newark. As we celebrate this achievement, we also look forward to the next 50 years, working toward our vision of a hunger-free New Jersey.

Building Healthier Communities for 50 Years

For 50 years, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, together with our dedicated community partners, volunteers and donors, has worked to fill the emptiness caused by hunger with food, help and hope. In that time, CFBNJ has grown to become the largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization in the state. We’ve helped put the issue of food insecurity on the map and transformed the lives of millions.

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. With your continued support, we can build healthier communities where every New Jersey neighbor has enough nutritious food to eat—and together, we can end hunger in our state.

Celebrating 50 Years of Impact

We supplied for more than

1 BILLION MEALS

of nutritious food to neighbors in need

We equipped over

3,000 FSTA STUDENTS

with essential job skills, offering them a second chance at success

We empower over

800 PARTNERS

who provide vital services and nourishment to those in need within their local communities

In celebration of CFBNJ’s 50th anniversary, an anonymous donor is stepping up to DOUBLE all new monthly pledges!

50 Stories For 50 Years

Lois Bennett, Founder/Director, Feeding Hands

Lois Bennett, Founder/Director, Feeding Hands https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Lois-Bennett.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Lois-Bennett.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

Lois Bennett never imagined she would end up running one of the largest food pantries in New Jersey. But looking back now, it makes perfect sense. Her journey started with a deep understanding of struggle. “Two of my three kids were born with a genetic condition that was supposed to kill them before they left…

David Goldstein, Former CFBNJ Vice President of Operations

David Goldstein, Former CFBNJ Vice President of Operations https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-6.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-6.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

David Goldstein’s career spans over 46 years and has taken him from corporate roles at UPS to leadership positions in food banks across multiple states, including his work at CFBNJ. From when he joined CFBNJ in November 2018 until he left in early 2025, David’s vast experience helped elevate the organization’s operations. David’s passion for…

Alan Levitan, Former CFBNJ Board Member

Alan Levitan, Former CFBNJ Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Alan-Levitan.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Alan-Levitan.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

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.…

Roby Weinreich, Women Fighting Hunger Founding Member

Roby Weinreich, Women Fighting Hunger Founding Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Roby.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Roby.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

Growing up, Roby Weinreich was surrounded by conversations about economic justice. Her mother was a public health nurse working with underserved communities, and her experiences deeply influenced Roby’s worldview. “She taught me a lot about what it looked like to be a struggling working-class family,” Roby recalled. “She not just humanized the face of poverty…

Dan Cregg, PSEG, CFBNJ Board Member

Dan Cregg, PSEG, CFBNJ Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-5.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-5.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

Dan Cregg sees meaningful parallels between CFBNJ’s mission and the work of PSE&G, his employer of over 30 years. Both meet fundamental needs – utilities and food. “You take for granted your next meal, just like you take for granted that when you flip a switch, the lights will turn on. But when you suddenly…

Etta Denk, Bank of America

Etta Denk, Bank of America https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Etta-Denk.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Etta-Denk.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

Etta Denk’s long history with CFBNJ dates to the start of her career in financial services more than three decades ago. “I have been in the industry for over thirty years, helping to support the revitalization of our communities and address the challenges that prevent individuals and families from achieving economic success,” she explained. In…

Judy Spires, CFBNJ Board Member

Judy Spires, CFBNJ Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Judy-Spires.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Judy-Spires.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

Judy Spires fell in love with feeding people on the first day of her first job in high school – as a cashier at an Acme supermarket. Fast forward from that Halloween night, and Judy had become President of Acme Markets, one of the first female executives in the food industry. When she told her…

Kathleen DiChiara, CFBNJ Founder

Kathleen DiChiara, CFBNJ Founder https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kathleen.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kathleen.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

Kathleen DiChiara’s journey to becoming a leader in the food security space began with a profound realization. In the early 1970s, she learned about a devastating famine in Bangladesh. “My sister was a nun, a medical mission sister, and the sisters from her order were there. One of them had a nervous breakdown and…

Josh Weinreich, CFBNJ Board Member

Josh Weinreich, CFBNJ Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Josh-Weinreich.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Josh-Weinreich.jpg February 26, 2025 February 26, 2025

In 2004, Josh Weinreich had recently retired and was looking to get involved in the community. He laughs that his wife, Roby, told a friend who was on CFBNJ’s Board of Directors who was asking for a donation, “I’m happy to contribute, but let me give you my husband as well!” “I met with…

Cathy McCann, Former VP of Operations

Cathy McCann, Former VP of Operations https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Cathy-McCann.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Cathy-McCann.jpg February 13, 2025 February 13, 2025

Cathy McCann had recently left a successful logistics career at Pepsi to work in hunger relief, when a mutual friend connected her with Kathleen DiChiara. Cathy’s skills and dedication met Kathleen’s conviction and boundless energy, and the rest is history. Kathleen convinced her to “join us for six months – and then we will sit…

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