Corporate Partner Spotlight: United Airlines Announces Half-Million Dollar Grant to the Food Service Training Academy

United Airlines announced a $2 million critical needs grant to be split between the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, the Urban League of Essex County, and Year Up New York. The organizations were selected for their workforce development initiatives within the local communities that surround Newark Liberty International Airport.

The FoodBank received a generous $500,000 contribution for the Food Service Training Academy, which will be put to good use recruiting and training new students from the City of Elizabeth, specifically, one of United’s hub communities.

“The Food Service Training Academy exemplifies the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s commitment to addressing poverty, the root cause of hunger, by providing graduates with marketable job skills that can lead to a living wage,” said Carlos Rodriguez, President & CEO, Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “United’s generous contribution will sponsor the recruitment and education of incoming FSTA students to help break the cycle of poverty for dozens of Elizabeth residents.”

The grant was presented on July 18 at Newark Liberty International Airport with Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, and United executives in attendance.

“We are thrilled to be able to provide support to multiple New York and New Jersey communities to help individuals build their professional and personal development job skills,” said Jill Kaplan, president, New York/New Jersey for United Airlines. “The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Urban League of Essex County, and Year Up New York align to our core values as a company and the grants will provide new opportunities for each organization to further promote their missions.”

Click here to read the official press release.