FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicole Williams, Communications & Public Relations Manager
nwilliams@cfbnj.org / 732-798-5213
COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NEW JERSEY FUNDRAISES FOR EXPANDED FLEET
The state’s largest anti-hunger organization is looking to purchase more vehicles and replace its aging mobile pantry
HILLSIDE, NJ—August 19, 2021
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) has undertaken a fundraising effort to expand its fleet of trucks, trailers, mobile pantries, and vans. The state’s largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization is also seeking to replace aging vehicles, particularly its highly specialized mobile pantry.
This initiative begins as food insecurity in New Jersey remains elevated due to the pandemic’s health and economic effects. One of the state’s hardest-hit areas is South Jersey, where casino, restaurant, and other hospitality-related jobs have disappeared and where many neighbors in need live in areas that don’t have enough food pantry services nearby. CFBNJ’s mobile pantry brings nutritious food and other necessary items to these areas, but lately, the organization has often been forced to substitute the vehicle with a box truck that is far less efficient.
CFBNJ aims to grow its fleet from 24 vehicles to 32 as it moves towards a partner direct model with a goal of delivering more food to its more than 800 community partners across the state, rather than having many of them pick up from the FoodBank’s two facilities.
“Having adequate transportation is critical to our mission delivery,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Our trucks, trailers, mobile pantries, and vans are what enable CFBNJ to reach neighbors in need across the 15 counties that we serve. We need the support of the public to procure more of these vehicles and to keep them out on the road bringing food, help, and hope to local communities.”
To help CFBNJ meet its goal, Feeding America, the David Tepper Charitable Foundation, and the State of New Jersey have established a 3:1 challenge grant. For every $1 donated towards the $160,000 needed for a new mobile pantry, they will triple the donation.
To support CFBNJ’s fleet expansion efforts, visit cfbnj.org/truck.
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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.