The basics:

• Casino Association of NJ donated 1,200 turkeys as part of Casinos United Against Hunger
• ShopRite‘s Check-Out Hunger campaign collects customer donations through early January
• Nearly 1.1M New Jersey residents face food insecurity, including 270,000 children
• Initiatives provide holiday meals, strengthen local food banks statewide

Two well-known New Jersey entities are giving back by supporting the Community FoodBank of New Jersey as the holiday season kicks off.

The Casino Association of New Jersey donated 1,200 turkeys to support the CFBNJ annual Turkey Drive. Contributions came from: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Atlantic City, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Ocean Casino Resort and Resorts Atlantic City.

This donation marks the latest effort by the CANJ to fight food insecurity as part of its Casinos United Against Hunger campaign. That initiative launched earlier this year in partnership with the CFBNJ. Other programs have included casinos volunteering at the CFBNJ’s Mobile Food Pantry in Ventnor City. Collectively, the casinos have donated nearly $250,000 to support CFBNJ’s mission.

Local impact

The issue is of utter import – with nearly 1.1 million New Jerseyans facing food insecurity, including 270,000 children.

Atlantic County reports one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state at 13.3% (over 36,000 people) and 18.2% among children (more than 10,000).

“Food insecurity affects far too many families in our state,” said Mark Giannantonio, president, CANJ. “Our casinos are proud to support the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Turkey Drive to ensure that families can enjoy Thanksgiving meals together.”

CFBNJ President and CEO Elizabeth McCarthy stressed the importance of food – not just for nutrition, but for bringing families together. “The Turkey Drive is an important way to address food insecurity during the holiday season,” she said. “And we are grateful to community partners like the Casino Association of New Jersey for their generosity in this time of need.”

ShopRite

ShopRite is once again rallying to help New Jersey residents facing hunger during one of the busiest times of the year for food banks.

As part of the Wakefern Food Corp.-owned supermarket banner’s annual Check-Out Hunger campaign, customers can support local food banks by adding a donation at checkout through early January.

Many ShopRite stores will also feature special fundraising activities and food drives designed to boost local food pantry resources during their peak service period. ShopRite announced the program’s kickoff in a Nov. 25 press release.

The effort builds on the $1.25 million in food and funds that ShopRite Partners In Caring recently contributed to regional food banks. ShopRite’s signature hunger-fighting initiative helped families impacted by the federal government shutdown and uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits.

Founded in 1999, ShopRite Partners in Caring is a year-round, community-based, hunger-fighting initiative. The program works with more than 50 food industry manufacturers to provide $3 million annually to qualified charitable agencies in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania – all states where ShopRite has a presence.

Over the years, ShopRite Partners in Caring has raised nearly $65 million to support more than 2,500 local charities. As a title sponsor of the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer, ShopRite has donated $45 million to local organizations, hospitals and community groups, according to the company.

Checking the list

In a statement, ShopRite Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Alexandra Emery said, “We’re deeply committed to addressing food insecurity because our stores are owned and operated by families who are part of the communities we serve.”

“Our associates are passionate about supporting Check-Out Hunger, and every donation made at checkout helps strengthen local food banks at a time when demand is especially high. Together with our customers, we can ensure more families have access to meals throughout the holiday season,” she said.

The Check-Out Hunger campaign also comes on the heels of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s 25th annual Turkey Drive. During the Nov. 22 effort, shoppers donated frozen turkeys, holiday pantry staples and money to help families in need celebrate Thanksgiving.

NJBIZ reporters Matthew Fazelpoor and Kimberly Redmond contributed to this report.