Wendy Lazarus’s journey with CFBNJ began during her tenure at Pfizer, where her role in community relations connected her with the organization.
“I worked in community relations and public affairs at Pfizer,” Wendy recalled. “We partnered with the FoodBank to address childhood hunger through their Kids Cafe program, an extremely rewarding project.”
Her passion for addressing hunger traces back to childhood when she recalls seeing ads to raise funds for hungry children around the world. “I was a kid and looking at these other children that were hungry – to me, it was unthinkable that people and kids were hungry.” This early compassion became a driving force in her volunteerism and professional life.
When Wendy joined the FoodBank’s Board of Directors, her dedication grew. Wendy reflected on her experience working alongside CFBNJ’s founder, Kathleen DiChiara.
“I learned food banking from Kathleen directly,” Wendy said. “She was an incredible force in the fight against food insecurity. My mantra has been to make something happen and try to make a difference and Kathleen was the ultimate role model. I feel blessed that I got to learn from her and it is my passion to continue to make a difference in combatting food insecurity.
For Wendy, CFBNJ represents more than just a mission, it’s a second home. “The first time I walked through CFBNJ’s doors, I was just in amazement at what got done there,” she said. “It was a place that touched my heart because of the dedication and compassion of everyone who worked there. I love being there and bringing friends and family to volunteer alongside me.”
As CFBNJ celebrates its 50th anniversary, Wendy’s hopes for the organization to remain steadfast in its mission.
“We all always hope that we’re going to end hunger,” she explained. “But the FoodBank is going to be there for whatever the world looks like in 50 years. Whether we’re delivering food directly through a pantry or ensuring there are good policies in place for people to have access to SNAP, the FoodBank will play a role.”
Wendy’s commitment is clear. “The FoodBank changed my life,” she reflected. “It’s given me purpose for nearly 25 years, and I’m grateful to be part of something that makes such a difference.”