Continuing Pandemic Relief

In 2021, food insecurity levels shrank from where they were at the height of the pandemic, but 800,000 New Jerseyans still struggled with hunger.

CFBNJ’s work remained more critical than ever, as the economic effects of COVID-19 continued to threaten our neighbors’ ability to put food on the table. With the help of supporters like you, we fed hungry children and their families, provided emergency meal kits, reshaped our Food Service Training Academy for a digital world, helped neighbors access financial resources, and more. To accomplish all of this, we contended with the added challenge of a tightening supply chain that drove food prices up, strained our transportation capacity, caused shortages of most-needed items, and led to a sharp decline in food donations. Still, we distributed more food than ever before during our 2021 fiscal year, which wouldn’t have been possible without YOU! Meet two of the neighbors who were impacted by our collective efforts this year.

MEET ALBERT

Born and raised in Orange, Albert spends most of his Wednesdays at the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, volunteering his time in the community that he grew up in. After decades of hard work in a warehouse, he’s retired but struggles to live on a fixed income. Albert is also a recipient of the pantry, where weekly distributions ensure that he will never go without food. He especially enjoys getting canned tuna, whole chickens, and fresh produce, which he shares with his nieces and nephews when they come to stay with him.

With support from the pantry, Albert hopes to continue volunteering and spending time with his family.

MEET MANNY

When the pandemic shut down Atlantic City’s casinos, Manny, a cook, was one of thousands of workers who lost their livelihoods. He had difficulty paying the bills until he found a job – and food for his household – at CFBNJ’s Egg Harbor Township location. There, he was hired as a forklift operator and learned that he was also eligible to shop in the FoodBank’s onsite Community Assistance Pantry to bring food home for his nephew and three sisters.

Now that he’s back to work, Manny’s future plans include building a house with a rental unit to generate extra income and eventually retiring to his birthplace in the Dominican Republic. To fulfill these dreams, he is studying for his CDL license to become a truck driver for CFBNJ.