More than 44 million people, including about seven million children, were food insecure in 2023, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
About one million of those who are food insecure live in New Jersey.
There are many factors that lead to food insecurity, including lack of access to food and healthy meal options. And often families are struggling financially to meet their basic needs and afford to put food on the table.
The Community Food Bank of New Jersey wants all families to be able to have access to a healthy meal.
As part of our #BetterTogether initiative, we are partnering for the third year to help feed families this holiday season during their annual turkey drive.
Last year we collected over 4,000 turkeys and 35,000 pounds of food.
Help us exceed our goal this year.
Join us to help raise awareness, money, and food for families in need.
Community Food Bank of New Jersey
The Community Food Bank of New Jersey's mission is to fight hunger and poverty in New Jersey by assisting those in need and seeking long term solutions. CFBNJ engages, educated and empowers all sectors of society in the battle. Working together with volunteers, donors and their many partners, CFBNJ works to fill the emptiness caused by hunger with food, help and hope.
To learn more about the organization, including many locations where you can make a donation, volunteer and more, CLICK HERE.
Volunteers vital to helping Community FoodBank of New Jersey achieve their goals
CBS News New York's 3rd Annual #BetterTogether: Season of Giving campaign is underway. About 1.3 million New Yorkers have difficulty feeding their families and themselves, according to City Harvest
We're partnering with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to help raise money and food donations to battle food insecurity.
This Saturday, we'll be teaming up with the food bank for their 24th Annual Turkey Drive, and we could use your help.
"We are trying to collect 85,000 turkeys, hams and roasters to give out to fellow New Jersians this Thanksgiving," said CFBNJ President and CEO Elizabeth McCarthy. "Food insecurity, unfortunately, is at an all-time high, and while year-round it's a problem, especially at the holidays, we want to make sure every family has a meal."
The focus is on the Thanksgiving feast, but food insecurity never takes a holiday. In fact, during the course of the year, the CFBNJ serves over 90 million meals in 15 counties in New Jersey through 800 community partners like food pantries, soup kitchens and local churches.
"One in nine people in New Jersey is estimated to be food insecure, and the need seems to be going up," McCarthy said.
The food bank says their volunteers are vital.
"The volunteers are unbelievable. This month, we'll have about 17,000 volunteer hours, so really, we could not operate without them," McCarthy said.
The volunteer hours served at the FoodBank are equivalent to 43 full-time employees.
"If you had to equate this to dollars, how many dollars are here as far as donated hours?" CBS News New York's John Elliott asked.
"I would say we're probably spending a good $50,000 just today in terms of hours spent," said Frank Melaccio, with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
"It's so important to volunteer and give back to the community we serve," said Wendy Lanski, with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
"I was a practicing lawyer, and I wanted to contribute in a very different way to the community," said Rick Meth, who has been a volunteer since 2018.
"I feel like I'm doing something, I'm helping someone," said first-time volunteer Portia Rolle.
"What do you get out of this?" Elliott asked.
"It's joy, it's peace. It's just collaborating with the community, and I love it," said volunteer Subrinia Clark, with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield.
3rd CBS New York Turkey Drive next week
The 3rd Annual CBS News New York Turkey Drive with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey is only one week away.
We'll be live at three locations in New Jersey on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Veterans thankful for Community Food Back of New Jersey
Nov. 11 kicked off CBS News New York's third annual #BetterTogether: Season of Giving campaign.
We are helping organizations like our partners at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey raise awareness, money, and food donations.
We're telling you more about helping those who served us -- our veterans. They make up for a large number of food-insecure Americans.
Reporter Kristie Keleshian introduces us to some Garden State veterans thankful for the help the food bank provides.