FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicole Williams, Communications & Public Relations Manager
nwilliams@cfbnj.org / 732-798-5213
COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NEW JERSEY HOLDS INAUGURAL 24-HOUR PACK-A-THON
Round-the-clock volunteer event raises awareness about a critical drop in volunteerism
HILLSIDE, NJ—March 28, 2022
From Friday, March 25 at 9 am until Saturday, March 26 at 9 am, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) held its first-ever 24-hour Pack-a-Thon volunteer event at its Hillside warehouse. The event was hosted by the organization’s Emerging Leaders Board and sought to raise awareness about a critical drop in volunteerism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rising cost of living and continuing economic effects of the pandemic have exacerbated food insecurity in New Jersey, while volunteerism at CFBNJ has declined, making it more difficult for the organization to deliver on its mission at a time when its work is more essential than ever before. Volunteerism has dropped 44% from before the pandemic. CFBNJ requires about 300 volunteers per week to meet the needs of its network of over 800 community partners, but the organization has been struggling to attain this number.
“Members of the Emerging Leaders Board were troubled by the recent scarcity of helping hands,” said Jay Signorello, Chair of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Emerging Leaders Board. “We decided to hold the Pack-a-Thon because we want to remind people of how essential volunteers are to the FoodBank’s mission. Hunger doesn’t sleep, so neither did we.”
An incredible total of 275 people volunteered during the Pack-a-Thon, packing 4,282 boxes of food and making 1,665 meals for New Jersey neighbors in need. Companies, youth groups, individuals, and more came together to participate in the event, which also featured food, music, and door prizes.
“This year, CFBNJ is on track to distribute more food than ever before, but we can’t do it without our volunteers,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Our inaugural Pack-a-Thon was an incredible success, and I hope that it will encourage more people to lend a hand in service of our neighbors in need.”
Individuals and groups can sign up to volunteer at CFBNJ at cfbnj.org/volunteer.
##
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.
