Faye Kuhn’s job at the FoodBank was the third job of her life.
She originally started out in real estate development but left after a while to raise a family. Between being part of her community, going to church, and being involved with school, she got a job at CFBNJ.
She felt that this position was the perfect intersection of her skills.
“I started just after September 11, 2001,” Faye said. “I was hired to head up the Volunteer Department because thousands of people lined up on a daily basis because everyone wanted to do something after the tragedy happened.”
After the World Trade Center attacks, CFBNJ served as the processing center for all relief donations arriving from points west and south of New York City, working with the Salvation Army. Faye coordinated the volunteers who assisted in this effort.
She later became the Director of Volunteer Services, guiding a team of five and managing thousands of volunteers every year.
Faye remembers Kathleen as a very hands-on leader and that, often, volunteers were there because of Kathleen. They knew her backstory and wanted to be a part of it.
“Kathleen loved the volunteers, and they were thrilled to see the founder come into the room. They felt special,” Faye said.
Faye’s favorite memories of the FoodBank are Bruce Springsteen’s concerts.
“The volunteer department had to be at those concerts. When the concert was over, we had to go to all the gates, get buckets and collect money,” Faye recalled. “Kathleen would go up onto the stage, and Bruce would introduce the FoodBank and tell people to empty their pockets. Right after, Kathleen would grab a bucket and join the volunteers.”
Faye says that Kathleen didn’t just walk the walk, she talked the talk.
She also says that the FoodBank provides such an essential service to those who are in need. She says that it’s inspirational that such an essential service is being provided every single day; even when there’s a pandemic or an obstacle, the FoodBank will find a way.
“Working at the FoodBank forced me to not make assumptions about anyone,” Faye said. “You don’t know what they’re going through, what their background is, or what their story is.”
Faye is proud of the volunteer and corporate relations programs she helped grow during her time. The volunteer department became a department that funneled thousands of volunteers and brought in millions of dollars. She put her heart and soul into CFBNJ, and that impacted her and her work ethic.
Faye hopes that, in the next 50 years, the FoodBank will continue to be nimble and grow in a way that serves the public and keeps the organization humble.