By Chiara Coddington
Jim McGinnis, Kathleen DiChiara’s brother, has always supported her journey with CFBNJ.
“I went to the FoodBank one Thanksgiving,” Jim recalled. “My wife Tina and I joined Kathleen to help sort food, pack boxes, and tour the facility. There were turkeys in the refrigerators, ready to be given out the next day. That visit stood out the most, though I had been there a couple of other times.”
Jim has always been amazed by Kathleen’s ability to inspire generosity, bringing in donations from people she didn’t even know. He takes pride in how her efforts transformed a simple station wagon operation into a massive warehouse feeding those in need.
While he acknowledges that closing the FoodBank would signify the end of hunger, he believes that day is unlikely to come. “There will always be people in need,” he said.
Jim fondly remembers Kathleen launching a program that hired ex-felons, which had a profound impact on people’s lives. “Many expressed their gratitude,” he shared. “Some even called her a godsend. She also established a culinary training program. At one graduation, a young woman’s mother told me, ‘No one in my family has ever graduated from anything.’ That was truly moving.”
One of Jim’s favorite events was the Blue Jean Ball. He attended three, and each left a lasting impression. “I was warmly welcomed and introduced to many people,” he said. “And I was always in awe of my sister.”
Jim misses Kathleen but remains immensely proud of her decades of dedication. “She overcame challenges to create something extraordinary,” he reflected. He also recalls her being named Grand Marshal of the Union City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a testament to her impact. Though she is gone, her legacy will endure for years to come.