“Thanks to Earle, Operating Engineers Local 825, The Stavola Companies, and CJ Hesse, Inc., Fulfill can now better accommodate food deliveries and more volunteers and employees at our Neptune Distribution Center. This is essential to meet the growing demand for food at the Jersey Shore during the coronavirus crisis and beyond. Since the pandemic hit, Fulfill has provided an additional 1.7 million meals to our struggling neighbors, and we can’t prepare that food without additional staff and volunteers in the building. The philanthropic efforts of these companies working together on this project now make it possible,” said Fulfill CEO and President Kim Guadagno, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.
From left to right: Fulfill Chairman Jeremy Grunin, Earle President TJ Earle, Earle co-founder Marianne Earle, and Alix Earle, TJ’s daughter and an intern at the company, Fulfill CEO and President Kim Guadagno, former Fulfill Board Member Tom Jacobson
Twenty-two parking spaces and an extension of Fulfill’s driveway were added to the south side of Fulfill’s Distribution Center at 3300 Route 66 in Neptune allowing more room for trucks to make food deliveries. The materials and labor donated are estimated at $100,000. This comes at a particularly important time given the increased purchasing Fulfill has had to do since the start of the pandemic to meet the ever-growing demand for food. Earle trucked and coordinated the delivery of materials to the job site and disposed of 15 tons of broken asphalt. CJ Hesse, Inc. donated 150 tons of asphalt, and The Stavola Companies donated 75 tons of asphalt. The work was completed by Operating Engineers Local 825 union workers, which included operation of all dirt and paving equipment.
Additionally, Earle announced a surprise $50,000 donation to Fulfill at the ribbon cutting ceremony in Fulfill’s parking lot. The funds will be used to support Fulfill’s COVID-19 Response.
“Earle is a family owned, community-based company. Their generous donation comes at a time it’s needed most, and we are incredibly grateful. We have seen a 40 percent spike in the demand for food, and we expect the need to further increase as unemployment checks run out and more businesses close for good.” added Guadagno.
“Fulfill is a savior to those who are food insecure at the Jersey Shore, and the COVID-19 crisis is putting an increased stress on its resources. We wanted to make an impact during these unprecedented challenges, and we feel there is no greater way than helping to feed families in need in our community. The $50,000 donation equals 150,000 meals for children, families, seniors, and veterans in Monmouth and Ocean Counties – and that is making a real difference,” said Thomas J. Earle, President of Earle.
Specifically, the $50,000 from Earle will help Fulfill fund Emergency Meal Kits for distribution at our network of pantries and other feeding programs. Each box contains thirty pounds of shelf stable food to sustain a family of four for four days. A complete list of pantries providing the food can be found at fulfillnj.org under the ‘Get Help’ tab.
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“We are proud to be able to contribute to the already monumental efforts put forth by the employees, volunteers, Board of Trustees and Kim Guadagno, in coming to the relief of those in need. Stavola will continue to assist Fulfill in its efforts to expand its capabilities and to meet the never-ending challenges of the communities it serves,” said Mike Gentoso, CEO of The Stavola Companies. The Stavola Companies have been a mainstay in the Construction Materials, Asphalt, Contracting and Real Estate businesses in Monmouth County for more than 70 years.
“Our Operating Engineers are proud to help Fulfill in its drive to end hunger in our communities,” said Local 825 Business Manager Greg Lalevee. “Our members play an active part in the communities where we live and work.”
About Earle
Earle is a New Jersey based company specializing in private and municipal road construction and paving, heavy highway construction, as well as manufacturing, and recycling and transportation of construction related materials. Established as an industry leader, Earle’s core services include heavy highway construction, asphalt and aggregates, transportation and environmental. For more than 50 years, Earle has been distinguished as one of the industries’ premier companies.
About Fulfill, formerly The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties
Fulfill has been providing food for families in Monmouth and Ocean Counties for more than thirty years. We were there to provide food and comfort during economic storms, Superstorm Sandy, and now a pandemic. During the pandemic, the demand for food has already grown 40% and Fulfill has served an additional 1.7 MILLION meals to people in need. We expect the demand to grow as the unemployed run out of paychecks, incentives, and savings.
Fulfill feeds children, seniors, veterans, and the working poor. Fulfill serves pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens, provided hot meals for children after school when schools were open, and sent food home for those same children over the weekend during the school year. We now provide food to those children and their families at home through our partnerships. Fulfill also provides additional services to help our neighbors improve their overall situation. Fulfill assists with tax preparation, connecting people to SNAP (food stamps) benefits, and, before the pandemic, with job training in our culinary program. It is important to note that all non-food programs are currently on hold during the coronavirus crisis.
Fulfill has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for more than ten consecutive years. This distinction means Fulfill, a 501 (c)3 charitable organization, outperformed most charities in America in areas of efficiency, fiscal integrity, and effectiveness. In fact, 95 cents of every dollar donated to Fulfill goes directly to feeding the hungry in our community.
Follow Fulfill on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and share our posts to help raise awareness about hunger. To donate or volunteer, go to fulfillnj.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
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