State’s largest foodbank raises awareness and donations to address period poverty
HILLSIDE, NJ — June 11, 2024
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) recently concluded its annual month-long statewide campaign to gather period supplies for neighbors in need, which was spearheaded by the organization’s Women Fighting Hunger volunteers. During the month of May, the #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive, culminating with National Period Poverty Awareness Week, May 20-28, helped raise awareness and collect period products and funds to address period poverty, an often-hidden problem faced by thousands of New Jersey residents.
The drive kicked off on Saturday, May 4, when four Village ShopRite locations served as drop-off locations for period product donations. Procter & Gamble matched all product donations that day to help CFBNJ collect twice as many supplies.
During the entire month-long campaign, CFBNJ gathered 1,340 pounds of period products and raised $11,000, which will be used to purchase even more of these critical resources for neighbors in need. Nationwide, more than two in five people with periods say they have struggled to access period products. It is also estimated by the Alliance for Period Supplies that one in four teens has missed class for lack of a maxi pad or tampon. Period products are not covered by most federally funded public assistance programs, like SNAP and WIC.
“This is the fourth year that CFBNJ and our Women Fighting Hunger have hosted the #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive,” said Elizabeth McCarthy President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “We are incredibly grateful for all the support from ShopRite, Procter & Gamble, and individuals across New Jersey. This is an important part of CFBNJ’s work because so many of our neighbors who struggle to afford food may also be unable to access period supplies.”
CFBNJ accepts period products year-round. To donate period products, visit cfbnj.org/amazon and ship directly to the FoodBank. To send products to CFBNJ’s Hillside warehouse, select the following delivery address at checkout: Megan Vartan, CFBNJ – Women Fighting Hunger Hillside, NJ.
CFBNJ is a founding allied program of the National Diaper Bank Network’s Alliance for Period Supplies. The FoodBank’s Period Initiative provides supplies to low-income, unhoused, and sheltered people across its service area. Last year alone, CFBNJ distributed more than 3 million period supplies to nearly 124,000 individuals through its Period Initiative.
CFBNJ’s Women Fighting Hunger supports the goals and priorities of the organization, providing food, help, and hope through hands-on philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration. Skilled volunteer opportunities are available year-round through a program that also provides opportunities for education, personal growth, and a sense of community. To learn more and get involved with Women Fighting Hunger, visit cfbnj.org/womenfightinghunger.
##
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) is the largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization in New Jersey, where nearly one million neighbors, including 1 in 8 children, struggle with the emptiness caused by hunger. We are the lead source of nourishing food for 800 pantries serving everyone from infants to college students to families and seniors. Our comprehensive approach addresses the root causes of hunger through food benefits and social services, job training and certification, local farm partnerships, and food policies that nurture all New Jerseyans. By providing food, help, and hope, we are building a food secure future for our state. CFBNJ is a proud member of Feeding America®.
