Women Fighting Hunger

In 12 months WFH members along have volunteered more than:

• 150 hours as Care Crew Members at our Hillside Warehouse
• 175 hours at Garfield Unity Pantry
• 385 hours at Hillside (from more than 60 volunteers!)

Women Fighting Hunger hosts three forums annually for college pantry managers to get together, network, and share ideas. This time together provides valuable opportunities for engagement and learning.

In addition to these events, we developed an online space for pantry managers to collaborate and share insights, even when forums are not taking place. The program is supported by 15 Women Fighting Hunger liaisons, who provide guidance and assistance across 18 pantries, ensuring that each pantry has the resources and connections needed to serve their communities effectively.

Women Fighting Hunger played an instrumental role this year by helping to redesign CFBNJ’s advocacy page, making it more engaging and accessible for supporters looking to take action. Their contributions was recognized nationally, with CFBNJ being named to Food Bank News’ Advocacy Honor Roll, placing us among the top 44 food banks in the country for advocacy impact.

In 2024, the annual Women Fighting Hunger luncheon was a rousing success hosting luncheons in both North and South Jersey, bringing together more than 500 attendees who share a commitment to fighting hunger. These events were not only inspiring gatherings but also highly impactful raising over $400,000 to support CFBNJ’s programs. In addition to the fundraising, attendees contributed directly to our mission by donating 1,700 pounds of food and helping to pack more than 600 meal kits for neighbors in need.

Volunteers worked closely with CFBNJ’s Impact & Capacity team to conduct surveys and collect vital data from our partner agencies across New Jersey. Their efforts are helping us gain a clearer understanding of the needs of our pantries and the communities they serve, enabling us to distribute resources more efficiently and equitably. Through this initiative, WFH members gathered detailed information from 62 pantries, providing critical insights that will guide CFBNJ’s strategies and ensure that every donation has the greatest possible impact.

11 Volunteers collected turkey and monetary donations at locations throughout the state

Members collected over 36,000 diapers and raised nearly $6,000 between North and South Jersey. Additionally, Women Fighting Hunger’s Annual Diaper Drive is going on now, through the first week of November. To support their efforts please visit give.cfbnj.org/gbdd2025. Additionally, if you’d like to start a drive of you own or learn more about Women Fighting Hunger, please contact Megan Vartan at wfh@cfbnj.org.

Women Fighting Hunger members have raised an impressive $13,659 and collected approximately 45,000 individual products to support CFBNJ’s programs. This remarkable effort has been fueled by the initiative and creativity of our members, who have organized more than 20 individual drives throughout the year.

The women of South Jersey made a remarkable contribution by collecting over 320 pounds of coffee, which is enough to brew more than 10,000 cups of coffee and tea. This generous donation provides a comforting and energizing boost for countless neighbors and families served by CFBNJ, turning a simple beverage into a meaningful way to support those facing food insecurity. Their efforts highlight how even everyday items can have a big impact when a community comes together to help.