FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicole Williams, Communications & Public Relations Manager, Community FoodBank of New Jersey
nwilliams@cfbnj.org / 732-798-5213
GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING FOOD ASSISTANCE IN ATLANTIC CITY
Community FoodBank of New Jersey and Casino Reinvestment Development Authority announce a $250,000 investment
in area nonprofits as the pandemic persists
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ—October 20, 2021
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) today announced a $250,000 commitment to fund nonprofits doing food assistance work in Atlantic City. Grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded to help organizations enhance their operational capabilities and/or implement new ideas of innovative approaches to advancing the food security of Atlantic City neighbors in need. Distribution of funds to selected organizations will be facilitated by the Community Foundation of New Jersey.
This grantmaking program is part of CFBNJ’s multi-million-dollar, multi-year commitment to support its community partners in sustaining their operations and growing their capabilities to respond to the “new normal” initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this Atlantic City-specific opportunity also welcomes grant applications from organizations that have not previously partnered with CFBNJ.
“This localized initiative is part of a broader plan to fund organizations that serve as the boots on the ground in the fight against hunger in New Jersey,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “We’re also grateful for the leadership support from CRDA that is enabling us to invest in Atlantic City, specifically, one of the hardest-hit areas in the country, in terms of economic fallout from the pandemic.”
CFBNJ and CRDA have partnered closely throughout the pandemic, hosting dozens of large-scale distributions that provided struggling casino workers and Atlantic City residents with nonperishable emergency food boxes and supplemental fresh produce. These efforts have helped thousands of South Jersey neighbors in need keep food on the table for themselves and their families.
“The CRDA is proud to partner with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey,” said CRDA Deputy Director Rose Farias. “Through our collaboration, we have been able to make a significant impact on food insecurity in the region. With this next phase, the CRDA re-commits to edifying food access infrastructure in Atlantic City and throughout the region.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Atlantic City is nearly twice the statewide average, reflecting the pandemic’s impact on the casino industry as well as related tourism and hospitality businesses. While food insecurity rates have diminished from where they were at the height of the pandemic, CFBNJ continues to distribute more food than ever before – about 50% more during any given month than it was providing pre-pandemic. Many local nonprofits are seeing a similar increase in demand for their services.
Grant proposals are due on November 19, and organizations will be notified of their awards by January 5. A virtual technical support webinar will be offered on October 27 at 3 pm for nonprofits requiring assistance with their applications.
Organizations interested in applying for one of these grants should visit cfbnj.org/ac-networkinvestment for more information. A recording of the support webinar will also be posted at that address, for those who are unable to make the live session.
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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.