Mike Woodside’s introduction to CFBNJ over 15 years ago was an eye-opening experience. While at a company volunteer event at the FoodBank’s Egg Harbor Township location, he was surprised to see one of his own coworkers visiting the on-site pantry to get food.
“I was surprised to see someone I worked with every day pulling into the parking lot for food assistance,” Mike recalled. “That moment changed the way I thought about philanthropy. It made food insecurity a real and personal issue, not just something happening in the background.”
Since that moment, Mike has been instrumental in organizing volunteer opportunities for he and his colleagues to get hands-on in addressing food insecurity, both at his previous company and at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, where he currently works. Hard Rock is also a steadfast financial donor to CFBNJ’s mission and a frequent participant in special events.
“Between the volunteer hours, our annual financial contributions, and participation in FoodBank events, we’ve tried to make our support both meaningful and consistent,” Mike said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the casinos closed and Hard Rock’s staff was furloughed, the company’s support and compassion was more critical than ever. Its leadership team, including Mike, ensured that struggling employees received food assistance.
“When the casino shut down and revenue was at zero, our owners still chose to provide thousands of dollars in grocery store gift cards to our team members,” he shared. “That commitment to taking care of our own reinforced my belief that businesses must do more than just turn a profit.”
Since then, Mike has put together many opportunities for Hard Rock to address food insecurity at special times of the year, including Thanksgiving and birthdays.
“I remember standing in line with executives and employees, unloading Thanksgiving turkeys that seemed to get heavier by the minute. It was exhausting, but the sense of camaraderie and purpose made it all worth it,” Mike recounted. “What really stuck with me was seeing families arrive with relief and gratitude. It made all the effort worthwhile.”
Recognizing the emotional significance of birthdays, Mike and his team have also helped parents provide celebrations for their children despite financial hardship.
“The idea came from a conversation with the FoodBank team,” Mike said. “They told us that one of the things families often asked for but rarely received was birthday supplies. We immediately knew we had to step up.”
The team put together more than 600 birthday cake kits, complete with candles, frosting, and even cake pans: “It was such a small act but knowing that a child wouldn’t have to miss out on celebrating their birthday made it incredibly rewarding.”
Through his leadership at Hard Rock, Mike hopes to continue supporting the FoodBank’s mission by increasing corporate involvement. His powerful firsthand experiences have guided his journey from a casual volunteer to dedicated advocate.
“Our motto at Hard Rock is ‘Love All, Serve All,’ and that aligns perfectly with the mission of the FoodBank. I’m honored to be part of this work and look forward to doing even more in the future,” Mike said.