Volunteers work around the clock because hunger doesn’t sleep
HILLSIDE, NJ—April 3, 2022
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) held its 2nd Annual 24-Hour Pack-a-Thon at its Hillside warehouse from Friday, March 31 at 9 am through Saturday, April 1 at 9 am. The event was hosted by the organization’s Emerging Leaders as part of CFBNJ’s effort to meet the increased need as pandemic-related federal safety nets expire and inflation drives up food prices. Volunteers came together for 24 hours straight to pack food, raise awareness, and collect funds in support of the fight against hunger.
The 24-Hour Pack-a-Thon kicked off Volunteer Appreciation Month, which takes place in April and is a month-long celebration of those who give their time to volunteer in the community.
Bristol Myers Squibb and Peerless Beverage Company supported the event as Presenting Sponsors, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. was a “Fuel Our Volunteers” Sponsor. CBS New York was the event’s media partner.
“The Emerging Leaders are thrilled that we were able to host the 24-Hour Pack-a-Thon for the second year in a row,” said Jay Signorello, Chair of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Emerging Leaders. “With the rallying cry ‘Hunger doesn’t sleep, so neither will we,’ we’re reminding people that food insecurity is a 24/7 problem and one that we can address together.”
Nearly 600 people volunteered during the 24-Hour Pack-a-Thon, packing more than 8,400 boxes of nonperishable food and preparing more than 1,000 kitchen meals for New Jersey families in need. The event also featured food, music, and raffles. Companies, community groups, individuals, and more came together to participate.
“We’re grateful to all those who came together to make our 2nd Annual 24-Hour Pack-a-Thon fun and successful,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Right now, our neighbors are visiting our partner food pantries for assistance in even greater numbers than at the height of the pandemic. We can’t meet the increased need without the help of our volunteers, so we hope that people will continue to volunteer during this time when their help is needed most.”
Individuals and groups can sign up to volunteer at CFBNJ at cfbnj.org/volunteer.
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The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America®, has been delivering food, help and hope across the state for more than 45 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 85 million meals through its network of more than 800 community partners including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs throughout the 15 New Jersey counties it serves. For our hungry neighbors, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the powerful agent of change that fills the emptiness caused by hunger and provides resources that are essential to earning a sustainable living.