Milestone 50th anniversary celebration honors New Jersey hunger relief champions
HILLSIDE, NJ – June 13, 2025
On Thursday, June 12, approximately 400 guests attended the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s (CFBNJ) annual Blue Jean Ball at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. This year’s gala marked the culmination of CFBNJ’s 50th anniversary year and raised over $1.6 million, the equivalent of 4.8 million meals, surpassing the event’s ambitious goal of generating more than $1.57 million. The Blue Jean Ball is vital in raising the funds needed for CFBNJ to continue its essential work of distributing food and providing long-term supportive solutions, especially during this uncertain time, when funding cuts and federal policy changes are likely to impact the FoodBank and our neighbors in need.
The 2025 Blue Jean Ball served as the capstone of CFBNJ’s year-long 50th anniversary celebration — a monumental milestone recognizing five decades of impact since the organization’s founding in 1975, when Kathleen DiChiara first began distributing food from her station wagon in downtown Newark. Since then, CFBNJ has evolved into New Jersey’s largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization, creating lasting change by providing healthy food, nutrition education, career development, and pathways to a food secure future. The evening reflected pride in CFBNJ’s legacy and presented a call to action for the bold steps the FoodBank will take into its next 50 years.
This year’s gala began with a cocktail hour with live music, followed by a gourmet dinner and formal program with an awards ceremony honoring some of CFBNJ’s most committed partners. The event featured special entertainment by The Big Little Band featuring Mark Rivera — saxophonist for Billy Joel and musical director for Ringo Starr — joined by Neil “The Dude” Pawley and Chris Anderson from Southside Johnny’s legendary horn section. The event’s cocktail hour and dessert partners included CFBNJ’s Culinary Team (Stone Soup Culinary Creations and Food Service Training Academy), Harvest Restaurant Group, and the NJPAC Catering Team.
The Blue Jean Ball event chairs included Lyn & Dan Cregg, Jen & Chuck Salzman, and Roby & Josh Weinreich.
“Our 50th anniversary Blue Jean Ball was both a celebration of what we’ve achieved and a call to action for the future,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “With 1 in 9 New Jerseyans — including 1 in 7 children — facing food insecurity, our mission has never been more urgent. We’re inspired by the generosity and hope our community brings to this effort year after year. Together, we are building a future of food security for all.”
This year’s honorees were:
VISIONARY AWARD
- Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin – A leading champion for anti-hunger legislation who supports food access and dignity for all New Jerseyans
AMPLIFIER AWARD
- CBS New York – A treasured media ally dedicated to spotlighting hunger issues and CFBNJ’s work
“I’m honored to receive the Visionary Award from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey — an organization that has spent 50 years turning compassion into action,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “As we look to the next 50 years, I remain committed to advancing policies that promote food security, equity, and dignity for all.”
“At CBS New York, our mission is to bring home the issues by amplifying the voices and perspectives of those in our communities most affected,” said Nichole Green, CBS News New York Executive Producer Impacting Communities or EPIC. “Being honored with the Amplifier Award during CFBNJ’s 50th anniversary is meaningful, and we’re proud to partner with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to raise awareness, food, and funds for those struggling with food insecurity. “
CFBNJ extends a special thanks to the attendees, honorees, event chairs, partners, and sponsors who made the evening a success. Top sponsors included:
BLUE JEAN HERO
Jess Chang & Wayne Paglieri
DENIM DIAMOND
Larry L. Luing Family Foundation
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Wakefern Food Corp./ShopRite
DUNGAREE IDOLS
Appaloosa L.P./The Tepper Foundation
D’Maris & Joe Dempsey
Polly and Terry O’Toole
Peerless Beverage Co.
Prudential Financial
Judy & Bob Spires
Roby & Josh Weinreich
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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®.