The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) and its “Manufacturing Cares” partners have launched their annual food drive to help the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) provide nutritious meals for tens of thousands of hungry families in the state.
Businesses and their employees have multiple ways to help. Food items can be donated in bulk directly to CFNJ – as many food manufacturers and beverage companies choose to do – or businesses can collect donations at their workplaces. But an even easier way to help is to make a financial gift online to the 2023 NJMEP Manufacturing Cares Virtual Food Drive using the Community FoodBank of NJ’s website here.
NJMEP CEO John Kennedy said that every $1 donated provides enough food for three meals because the foodbank purchases items in bulk to stretch every dollar. Over the years, the Manufacturing Cares Food Drive has provided 1.76 million meals to families, and organizers hope to break the 2 million meals mark in 2023.
“There are over 1 million of our New Jersey neighbors that are hungry,” Kennedy said. “People, especially kids, need good food to sustain them at work or school.”
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey provides 85 million meals of nutritious food annually through its network of more than 800 community partners throughout the 15 New Jersey counties it serves. CFBNJ addresses hunger through workforce development initiatives, nutrition education, and connection to critical resources.
