Community FoodBank of New Jersey Receives Significant Funding to Combat Food Insecurity Across the State

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) has received significant funding to support its mission to end food insecurity in the state. A recent grant of $100,000 from Bank of America will provide general operating support for CFBNJ’s efforts to distribute food and offer supportive solutions across 15 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.

CFBNJ serves a vast area, including Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union counties. The organization operates from two main locations: Hillside and Egg Harbor Township. The Hillside warehouse is the largest location, where volunteers, students, and staff work together to distribute food to over 800 food pantries and soup kitchens. The Egg Harbor Township location serves clients in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties, offering on-location food pantry hours and a mobile pantry to reach more remote areas.

Bank of America has been a long-time supporter of CFBNJ, with a history of significant donations. In 2010, the bank donated $1 million to fund the Volunteer Center at CFBNJ’s Hillside headquarters, which has seen nearly 34,000 volunteer visits in the past year alone. In 2020, Bank of America provided $1.6 million for pandemic relief. This year, 79 volunteers from Bank of America completed 940 volunteer hours, demonstrating the bank’s continued commitment to CFBNJ’s mission.

Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of CFBNJ, expressed gratitude for Bank of America’s support, stating, “We are immensely grateful for Bank of America’s long-time support and for this generous grant that helps to fund our mission. We appreciate Bank of America’s continued investment in building a food secure future.”

Alberto Garofalo, President of Bank of America New Jersey, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We are privileged to continue partnering with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Their unwavering dedication to ending food insecurity in the Garden State is inspirational. The work they do every day strengthens the safety net for vulnerable New Jerseyans.”

This grant is part of Bank of America’s broader philanthropic efforts in local communities, focusing on addressing basic needs and workforce development. CFBNJ’s mission aligns with these goals, as it not only distributes food but also provides job training, SNAP application assistance, nutrition education, and initiatives for critical hygiene products.

CFBNJ has also recently awarded more than $3.2 million in grants to 80 individual organizations to help them better serve food insecure New Jerseyans. This funding, supported by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the Partners for Health Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, aims to increase the capacity of local food assistance organizations, particularly in underserved communities.

These grants are part of CFBNJ’s Network Investment Grant Initiative, a multi-year effort to support transformative projects that significantly impact food insecurity, nutritional intake, or operational sustainability. Elizabeth McCarthy emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Network Investment Grant Initiative represents a commitment to CFBNJ’s community partners to help them address their most urgent needs while supporting their growth and expansion.”

With these grants, CFBNJ continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the root causes of hunger and supporting its community partners in their efforts to provide food assistance to those in need. The organization’s work, supported by donors like Bank of America, is crucial in building a food secure future for New Jersey residents.