United Airlines gives 15,000 pounds of food to NJ, NY

Listen to this article

United Airlines donated 15,000 pounds of perishable and non-perishable goods to food banks in New Jersey and New York, the company announced Monday.

The Food Bank of South Jersey and Community Food Bank of South Jersey received that food, along with City Harvest in New York.

“As a company, we feel it is essential to support where our employees and customers live and work in any possible way during the crisis, including donating food to feed the growing number of families that need assistance,” said Jill Kaplan, president of New Jersey/New York for United Airlines, in a statement.

Well over 800,000 pounds has been donated to Community FoodBank of New Jersey since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Rodriguez.

“We’re grateful for our partnership with United Airlines and for this generous food donation, which comes to us at a time when it’s needed most,” Rodriguez said in a prepared statement. “The nutritious soup, cheese, nuts, and more will go a long way to keep our neighbors in need healthy and well-fed, whether they were already struggling prior to the pandemic or are coming to us for support for the first time in their lives.”

The Food Bank of South Jersey is experiencing a more than 200 percent rise in food need at this time, according to president and CEO Fred Wasiak.

“It is our mission to provide nutrition, sustenance and hope to children, families, individuals and seniors throughout South Jersey who are facing the painful reality of hunger,” Wasiak said in a prepared statement. “We are deeply appreciative of the depth of compassion and true spirit of community care of United Airlines during this unprecedented time.”