The New Jersey Devils, Prudential Center, and the Devils Youth Foundation – all long-time, dedicated partners of CFBNJ – have a comprehensive plan to support nonprofits battling food insecurity. The three interconnected organizations work together to give food, funds, and time, while forging partnerships to make a lasting difference.
Most recently, the Devils Youth Foundation donated $50,000 for our child feeding programs, in line with their focus on promoting the mental and physical well-being of kids in New Jersey. This contribution will help provide 150,000 meals through CFBNJ’s Kids Cafe, Family Pack, and Summer Feeding programs, which work to fill the nutrition gap that kids face after school, on weekends, and over the summer.
“The Devils Youth Foundation believes that if kids don’t know where their next meal is coming from, it can negatively impact their physical development, as well as their mental well-being,” said Kate Whitman Annis, executive director of the Devils Youth Foundation. “We work closely with the FoodBank to combat that.”
The New Jersey Devils also partner with Stop & Shop, another of CFBNJ’s corporate supporters, in the fight against hunger. Earlier this year, they held their Community Assist campaign, during which Stop & Shop donated $50 for every assist a Devils player had in a home game this year. With 216 total assists during the season, Stop & Shop gave $10,800 to CFBNJ. Devils alumni, along with Stop & Shop and Devils/Prudential Center employees, have also volunteered at our turkey distributions, helping to load food pantries’ trucks and vans with holiday food.
CFBNJ has a longstanding relationship with the Devils and Prudential Center as food donors, too. For many years, the Devils have held food drives at their home games, encouraging fans to give nonperishable items. Since 2017, these drives have collected over 100,000 pounds of food. Prudential Center is also planning to start participating in our food rescue program, delivering extra food from their concession stands to local CFBNJ partner organizations.
“At CFBNJ, our important work is fueled by the power of partnership,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “As supporters of the fight against hunger, the New Jersey Devils, the Devils Youth Foundation, and Prudential Center exemplify the impact that we can make when we all come together for a common purpose.”
Lastly, Devils and Prudential Center employees visit CFBNJ regularly to volunteer, sorting food, building Family Packs, and performing other important tasks. Since 2015, they have spent more than 900 hours working in our warehouse.
“You might have a perception of people who are hungry. You might think that somebody walking down the street with a job doesn’t worry about food, but they do,” said Rebecca Elber, community investment manager for the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. “Whenever we go to the FoodBank, there’s this amazing message that helps us better understand what hunger in New Jersey looks like. Our long-time support of this important Newark neighbor is something we value and benefit greatly from. It’s a symbiotic relationship.”