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

Gleny Herlihy, Senior Director of Partner Engagement

Gleny Herlihy, Senior Director of Partner Engagement https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gleny.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Gleny.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

When Gleny Herlihy was 14 years old, she came to the United States with her family from the Dominican Republic in search of a better life and greater opportunity. Her journey has come full circle, as she now serves as Senior Director of Partner Engagement at CFBNJ, working with the organization’s community partners to help…

Anthony DiChiara, Kathleen DiChiara’s Husband

Anthony DiChiara, Kathleen DiChiara’s Husband https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tony-DiChiara.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Tony-DiChiara.jpg April 30, 2025 May 13, 2025

By Chiara Coddington Anthony speaks with deep gratitude when remembering his wife, Kathleen DiChiara, emphasizing how much her insight in the food banking industry meant to him and so many others. He says her legacy will remain with him forever. “She was loved by all,” Anthony said, his voice filled with admiration. “Kathleen loved people,…

Mike Woodside, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; EHT Advisory Board Member

Mike Woodside, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; EHT Advisory Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mike-Woodside.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mike-Woodside.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

Mike Woodside’s introduction to CFBNJ over 15 years ago was an eye-opening experience. While at a company volunteer event at the FoodBank’s Egg Harbor Township location, he was surprised to see one of his own coworkers visiting the on-site pantry to get food. “I was surprised to see someone I worked with every day pulling…

Bill Bolling, Founder of Atlanta Community Food Bank

Bill Bolling, Founder of Atlanta Community Food Bank https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bill-Bolling.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bill-Bolling.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

Bill Bolling’s journey into food banking began with a calling. As Director of Community Ministries at his church, he ran a community kitchen and counseling center, working directly with people experiencing homelessness. From there he founded the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “The work was about transformation,” Bill explained. “And the tool we had was food.” …

Meara Nigro, Retired Manager of Communications & Advocacy

Meara Nigro, Retired Manager of Communications & Advocacy https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Meara-Nigro.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Meara-Nigro.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

As a publicist at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, Meara Nigro helped organize a food drive for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey during a production of Oliver! Years later, after losing her job, she applied for a communications and advocacy role at CFBNJ, a decision that never imagined would shape her future so profoundly.…

Joe Dempsey, Chair, CFBNJ Board of Directors

Joe Dempsey, Chair, CFBNJ Board of Directors https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Joe-Dempsey.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Joe-Dempsey.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

Joe Dempsey is one of many whose commitment to CFBNJ began in the passenger seat of Kathleen DiChiara’s golf cart. It was early 2008, and Joe was looking for opportunities to get involved in the community when colleagues told him about the FoodBank. “Like so many others, I took a tour of the FoodBank with…

Josh Weston, Former CFBNJ Board Member

Josh Weston, Former CFBNJ Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Josh-Weston.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Josh-Weston.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

Josh Weston’s involvement with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey began with a simple but life-changing encounter. “I first heard of this lady named Kathleen DiChiara, who was driving around in her station wagon picking up food to give to people in need,” Josh recalled. It was the late 1970s, and he hadn’t yet met…

Larry Rogers, CFBNJ Board Member; The Tepper Foundation

Larry Rogers, CFBNJ Board Member; The Tepper Foundation https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Larry-Rogers.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Larry-Rogers.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

Feisty, determined, and generous are the three words that come to mind for Larry Rogers when he thinks of CFBNJ and its founder, Kathleen DiChiara. These qualities perfectly encapsulate his first encounter with the FoodBank more than 15 years ago. “When I got to work at Appaloosa Management with David Tepper, one of the things…

Jim McGinnis, Kathleen DiChiara’s Brother

Jim McGinnis, Kathleen DiChiara’s Brother https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Jim-McGinnis.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Jim-McGinnis.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

By Chiara Coddington Jim McGinnis, Kathleen DiChiara’s brother, has always supported her journey with CFBNJ. “I went to the FoodBank one Thanksgiving,” Jim recalled. “My wife Tina and I joined Kathleen to help sort food, pack boxes, and tour the facility. There were turkeys in the refrigerators, ready to be given out the next day.…

Bob Barry, Former CFO

Bob Barry, Former CFO https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bob-Barry.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Bob-Barry.jpg April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025

By Chiara Coddington Bob Barry was an accountant before he became the FoodBank’s CFO in 2006. Bob worked at the FoodBank for a little over 11 years. “I was amazed at what was going on in the FoodBank,” Bob said. “And with Kathleen’s support, I was able to form a group of other food bank…

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