FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicole Williams, Communications Manager
nwilliams@cfbnj.org / 908-355-3663 ext. 282
STATEMENT FROM CARLOS M. RODRIGUEZ, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE COMMUNITY FOODBANK OF NEW JERSEY, ON
NEW LAW TO ELIMINATE THE COST OF SCHOOL MEALS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS
The New Law Marks Significant Progress in the Fight Against Child Hunger and Works to Combat Lunch Shaming
HILLSIDE, NJ—January 22, 2020
Providing free school meals to children who qualify for reduced price lunch will lift a significant financial burden from the shoulders of families of about 66,000 students in need in New Jersey and combat lunch shaming by helping school districts avoid grappling with lunch debt. I applaud Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt, and Assemblyman Jamel Holley for championing this measure, Governor Murphy for signing it into law, and the entire state legislature for their compassion and willingness to put students’ needs first. Access to nutritious food is essential to ensure chldren’s abilities to learn, succeed, and reach their full potential.
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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 45 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 50 million meals through its network of more than 1,000 community partners including pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs. 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.
