For Linda Loria, making a difference has always been her guiding principle. After spending over 30 years in corporate roles, she was looking for something more meaningful, and she found it when she joined the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
“After working in corporate for over 30 years, I feel for once, I truly make a difference in helping people in need,” she said, reflecting on her career change.
Linda came to CFBNJ in 2007 to work on the Check-Out Hunger® Campaign, a supermarket initiative launched by CFBNJ that today spans much of the east coast, raising millions of dollars annually for food banks.
“I loved interacting with the stores and customers. It felt so good knowing that every donation, no matter how small, was helping someone in need,” she recalled. For 14 years, Linda worked hard to connect stores with CFBNJ’s mission, raising crucial funds to address hunger.
Three years ago, Linda transitioned into her current role in CFBNJ’s donor services function. In this position, she works closely with the donors who make CFBNJ’s work possible.
“One of the things I love most about donor services is answering the phone calls from donors. There’s something so special about hearing how much people care,” Linda shared. She also enjoys handwriting tribute cards for donations made in honor or memory of loved ones: “When I write those cards, it’s like I’m part of something bigger. It’s a small way to show that we’re truly grateful for their support.”
Linda’s work is deeply inspired by Kathleen DiChiara, CFBNJ’s founder. She remembers her as a warm and ever-present leader. “Kathleen had such a warmth about her. You’d see her everywhere, always taking the time to talk to the employees, making them feel valued,” Linda said. Kathleen’s dedication to giving second chances, especially to those who had been incarcerated, had a lasting impact on Linda. “I admired her so much for offering these people a chance when others wouldn’t.”
For Linda, her role at CFBNJ is much more than just a job — it’s about bringing hope to those who need it most. “It makes me feel that people who feel lost and hungry might feel some hope,” she shared. Whether she’s talking to donors, writing cards, or sorting mail, Linda knows that every task is part of a larger mission to help those in need.
Looking ahead, Linda has a hopeful vision for the future: “In this country, there should never be anyone who goes hungry — ever!” she declared. After 17 years at CFBNJ, Linda remains dedicated to the cause, knowing her work is truly making a difference in the lives of people who need it the most.