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

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…

Jennifer Apostol, Director, REPLENISH

Jennifer Apostol, Director, REPLENISH https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jennifer-Apostol.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jennifer-Apostol.jpg February 11, 2025 February 11, 2025

Jennifer Apostol has dedicated her entire career to hunger-relief. She started working for the Middlesex County Improvement Authority straight out of college 27 years ago, when the Middlesex County food bank, known today as REPLENISH, was operating out of a closet in a police building. Soon after she joined, it grew from being run by…

Alma DeMetropolis, Former CFBNJ Board Member

Alma DeMetropolis, Former CFBNJ Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Alma-DeMetropolis.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Alma-DeMetropolis.jpg February 11, 2025 February 11, 2025

Alma DeMetropolis joined the FoodBank’s Board of Directors during a major transition. Kathleen DiChiara was about to retire when CFBNJ board member Josh Weston, who was also on the Liberty Science Center’s board with Alma, suggested that she get involved to help the organization navigate the upcoming changes. Since then, she’s partnered with the…

Debra Fox, CFBNJ EHT Advisory Board Chair

Debra Fox, CFBNJ EHT Advisory Board Chair https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Deb-Fox-1.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Deb-Fox-1.jpg February 7, 2025 February 7, 2025

Debra Fox found her second calling at CFBNJ. “I started volunteering at the FoodBank during COVID with Women Fighting Hunger,” Debra shared. “It was just a few shifts here and there, but it opened my eyes to how critical CFBNJ’s work is. I couldn’t help but think, ‘How can I do more?’” Debra, who has…

Bob Stern, Egg Harbor Township Advisory Board Member

Bob Stern, Egg Harbor Township Advisory Board Member https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-4.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-4.jpg January 24, 2025 February 12, 2025

Returning to South Jersey after retirement gave Bob Stern the chance to channel his professional experience into something deeply meaningful. “Moving back felt like a new chapter,” he shared. “Joining the Community FoodBank of New Jersey was the perfect fit. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose.” Bob’s involvement with hunger-relief work dates back…

Chef Paul Kapner, Director of Commissary Operations

Chef Paul Kapner, Director of Commissary Operations https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-3.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-3.jpg January 24, 2025 February 12, 2025

Paul Kapner was a professional chef at places like Top of the Sixes on Fifth Avenue and Abigail Kirsch Caterers at The New York Botanical Garden before coming to work at CFBNJ. “At The New York Botanical Garden, I maintained a daily operation of a cafe that averaged up to 400 customers daily,” Paul shared.…

Michael A. Jordan, Former Director of Operations

Michael A. Jordan, Former Director of Operations https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers.jpg January 16, 2025 February 6, 2025

Michael A. Jordan’s journey at CFBNJ began in 2010. He initially took on the role of Warehouse Manager, which later expanded to overseeing transportation. By the time he left in 2017, he was the Director of Operations for the entire FoodBank. “I had never worked at a non-profit before, so that was a bit of…

Carlos Roldan, Father English

Carlos Roldan, Father English https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-2.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/New-Site-General-Blog-Headers-2.jpg December 17, 2024 January 16, 2025

Growing up in Colombia, Carlos Roldan experienced the harsh reality of hunger firsthand. “In Colombia, it’s typical that if you have breakfast, you don’t have lunch. If you have lunch, you don’t have dinner,” he recalled. This personal experience shaped his deep empathy for those in need and ignited his passion for feeding his neighbors.…

John Kennedy, NJMEP

John Kennedy, NJMEP https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/John-Kennedy-NJMEP.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/John-Kennedy-NJMEP.jpg December 17, 2024 January 16, 2025

John Kennedy’s connection to CFBNJ is as personal as it is professional. “I first learned about the FoodBank when Kathleen DiChiara was driving around in her station wagon, picking up food,” John recalled. “My mom met her while she worked at a local grocery store, and that’s how my relationship with CFBNJ started.” John’s memories…

Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO

Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/E-McCarthy.jpg 1280 550 CFBNJ CFBNJ https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/E-McCarthy.jpg December 17, 2024 January 16, 2025

Elizabeth McCarthy, CFBNJ’s current President & CEO, says that the FoodBank found her. Elizabeth started working in nonprofits in the late 1990s. Before coming to CFBNJ, Elizabeth served for 11 years as the CEO of Sheltering Arms in New York City, a multi-service nonprofit that addressed the effects of social inequity. “The multi-service aspect of…

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