Dear FoodBank Friends,
At CFBNJ, our neighbors in need are at the center of all we do, and we believe that the best ideas for ending hunger come from those who have experienced it. Just as we partner with the companies, government officials, local food assistance organizations, and individual volunteers who support our mission, the New Jerseyans we serve are our partners, too. You’ll read a lot about partnership in this annual report, which also tells the stories of a few of the neighbors who have influenced our work recently.
Last fiscal year, we heard from families in need that healthy food is important to them but difficult to afford. They told us what a difference SNAP benefits make for their household budgets, and they inspired the projects we funded through our Network Investment Initiative. We incorporated their feedback into our programs and advocacy efforts, and we must continue to prioritize their ideas as we work to advance bold solutions.
We also launched our ongoing strategic planning process to determine CFBNJ’s future direction. We formalized our dream for the future – our vision – and planned out the mission, culture, and values needed to achieve it. This year, we look forward to sharing our strategic plan with you and answering any questions you may have about it.
The pandemic has shown us that far too many people live on the brink of food insecurity. Even as our state continues to recover, these individuals are one missed paycheck, one unanticipated expense, or one job loss away from financial crisis. The lines of people needing support are still there – they’ve just moved back indoors. And recently, they’ve
grown even longer with the impacts of inflation and the expiration of pandemic-related federal safety nets.
The need continues, so our work must, too. Thank you for your all-in commitment and partnership in our mission. Hunger is solvable, and together, we can ensure that every one of our New Jersey neighbors has access to the food and resources they need to thrive.
With gratitude,
Judy Spires
CFBNJ Board Chair
