Free Food & Services

Free Food & Services

Find a food pantry near you and explore the free services that can help you and your family.

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Apply for Food Assistance

Apply for food assistance programs

Get free help applying for food assistance programs and accessing the benefits available to you and your family.

Apply For WIC 

Apply For SNAP

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Job Training

Job Training

Sign up for one of CFBNJ’s free job training programs that can prepare you for a career in the culinary or logistics industries.

 

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Healthy Recipes

Healthy Recipes

Healthy recipes, cooking videos, and tips are all here. Browse through the info provided by our Nutrition Education team to get the most out of your grocery budget without compromising on nutrition.

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Donate

Donate

Learn about all the ways to give a monetary gift, including recurring donations, planned gifts, tributes, and more to CFBNJ to lift up our neighbors.

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Volunteer

Volunteer

Explore the many opportunities to volunteer – whether that is packing food with your company, family, and friends at either our Hillside or Egg Harbor Township locations, distributing healthy food at one of our partners, or making phone calls from the comfort of your home.

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Advocate

Advocate

Take action to support our advocacy efforts that address the root causes of hunger and learn more about how CFBNJ collaborates with legislators.

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Fundraise

Fundraise

Coordinate a virtual or in-person fundraiser with friends, family, or coworkers.

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Donate Food & Goods

Donate Food & Goods

Over one-third of our food is donated by generous supporters like you. Set up a food or special product drive, join our retail food donation program, and more.

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Make a Corporate Donation

Make a Corporate Donation

Manufacturers, retailers, corporations, and small businesses can donate food, funds, and time.

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Events

Events

Attend a CFBNJ event to show your support and meet other like-minded supporters.

Bake For Good
SOUPER Bowl Saturday
24-Hour Pack-a-Thon
Blue Jean Ball

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Youth

Youth

Opportunities for youth engagement includes fundraising, food drives, and service days.

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Sign Up to Volunteer

Sign Up to Volunteer

Sign up to sort and pack food with your company, family, and friends at either our Hillside or Egg Harbor locations.

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Corporate Groups

Corporate Groups

Use your next company outing to give back to your community.

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Special Volunteer Programs

Special Volunteer Programs

View the opportunities available for regular volunteers to level up their participation at CFBNJ.

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Youth

Special Volunteer Programs

Opportunities for youth engagement includes fundraising, food drives, and service days.

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About Us

About Us

Discover how our journey began almost 50 years ago, and how we are committed to ending hunger in New Jersey.

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Our Programs

Learn about what we do to help our neighbors in need.

Learn about what we do to help our neighbors in need.

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How a FoodBank Works

How a FoodBank Works

Understand how food and hygiene supplies get from our two warehouses to your community.

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Leadership

Leadership

Meet our executive leadership team and Board of Directors.

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Annual Report & Financials

Annual Report & Financials

Get a clear picture of our finances, how our programs impact the community, and how it all ties together.

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Careers

Careers

Check out our career opportunities and don’t miss a chance to put your talents to work for a great purpose.

Internships Available

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News & Press

Keep up to date with the latest news about our work to end hunger.

Keep up to date with the latest news about our work to end hunger.

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Our Locations

Locations

We have locations in Hillside and Egg Harbor Township, each with their own events and volunteering opportunities.

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Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan

Explore the roadmap of the future of CFBNJ and how we plan on helping hungry neighbors going forward.

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Chef Paul Kapner, Director of Commissary Operations

Chef Paul Kapner, Director of Commissary Operations

Chef Paul Kapner, Director of Commissary Operations 1280 550 CFBNJ

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. “While I was a Lead Banquet Chef, I led successful execution of all banquets, including the kitchen team and coordinating the front of the house staff.”

He then moved on to cooking at Spring Meadows Assisted Living, serving ninety guests with three meals a day, seven days a week.

But Paul found his true calling when he started working at the FoodBank.

“Kathleen’s heart is what brought me here, and her vision is what’s kept me here for 20 years,” Paul said. “I was excited when I got a second call back from the FoodBank. When Kathleen told me her background and story, it was like she hooked me.”

Today, Paul oversees food production, which includes feeding kids and seniors in need, catering for events, and working with CFBNJ’s Food Service Training Academy students. The FoodBank’s 5,000 square-foot kitchen currently produces enough food for about 1,500 meals per day, on average, and can ramp up to 15,000 meals daily, if needed in a disaster.

“Some people might say that the kitchen is full of chaos,” Paul explained with a smile. “But it’s a controlled chaos. There are so many things going on, but it’s all in unison, and everyone’s working together.”

Paul was able to work alongside CFBNJ founder Kathleen DiChiara. He says that Kathleen cared about the people who worked for her, and that has stuck with him.

“When Kathleen worked at the FoodBank,” Paul said. “She would come down from her office every day without fail and say hi to everybody. She would know your name, your wife’s or husband’s name, and your kid’s name. It was sincere; she followed along with your family and always remembered.”

Paul appreciates how the FoodBank helps people who are in need. He also feels very fortunate to have learned so much in his career and is happy to give back.

“The FoodBank has given me a better understanding of people in need, and I want to help those people. It gives me a good feeling,” he said.

Paul enjoys that, whenever he tells volunteers that their work is giving a meal to someone in need, he sees their eyes light up.

“When people feel that they are doing something that’s going to affect someone directly in a positive way, it inspires them,” Paul shared. “I feel very excited that I am able to help somebody, and it’s a very humbling experience.”

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