In 2023, as part of our initiative to increase our impact, Law Rocks began offering a new award for each Law Rocks show: The Hustle & Heart Award. This award is given to the band that has the highest number of unique donors contributing to the “Donation” category (separate from sponsorships or ticket sales). Law Rocks makes an additional donation to the winning band's charity of choice.
Law Rocks celebrates grassroot, community efforts, and The Hustle & Heart Award is meant to encourage donations for each band’s nonprofit pick. We are thrilled to increase our support of small, local nonprofits who would otherwise not be receiving this funding.
Today’s spotlight is on the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, winner of the Hustle & Heart Award at the 8th Annual Law Rocks New York City. The organization was the chosen nonprofit of Hustle & Heart Award Winners, Amperband, featuring legal talent from McCarter & English.
On choosing the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Ampersand vocalist Alyse Pashman said:
“We were so proud to play Law Rocks to benefit the Community FoodBank of NJ. Many at McCarter have volunteered there through the years and have seen the great work they do to battle food insecurity in our local areas. Amperband hustled our hearts out to drum up each and every donation to support this cause and are humbled by the support we received.”
Amperband was able to raise $18,465 in support of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, including the $2,500 granted by Law Rocks from winning the Hustle & Heart Award. We congratulate their hard work!
See below for our spotlight interview with Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to learn more about the deserving organization.
1) Can you tell us a little about your organization and its mission?
“The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America® and the state’s largest anti-hunger organization, has been delivering food, help, and hope across the Garden State for nearly 50 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 90 million meals through its network of more than 800 community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, child and senior nutrition programs, and more, serving 11 New Jersey counties directly and four in partnership with affiliate food banks. It also addresses the root causes of food insecurity with supportive services like nutrition education, job training, SNAP outreach, and hygiene product distribution. By delivering neighbor-centered solutions and collaborating with all sectors of society, CFBNJ believes that food insecurity is a solvable problem.”
Photo provided by CFBNJ
2) What is one success story you’re really proud of?
“At school, seven-year-old Neymar used to hide extra food from the lunchroom in his backpack to take home to his family when they didn’t have enough to eat. His teachers would often notice that he was hungry and unable to focus during lessons.
With the help and recommendation of First Avenue School’s Parent Liaison, Neymar’s family was enrolled into the Family Pack program. Since accessing the nutritious meals and fresh produce included in the Family Packs, Neymar’s academic performance and engagement level have improved significantly.
‘We've noticed with Neymar that he’s become more focused in school now. He shows that he really wants to be here, paying more attention in class, fostering more relationships with his peers, and playing more often on the playground,’ said his school’s principal, Rosa Branco.
Neymar, his two siblings, and his mother moved to Newark at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when food insecurity was higher than ever. The Family Pack program has been especially helpful for First Avenue School’s immigrant families, like Neymar’s family, connecting them directly to resources they might not otherwise have access to.
‘He has really benefited from this, and when it’s time for Family Pack, he knows to come and help mom. He’ll grab a box and be on his merry way because he knows it will be beneficial for him and his family,’ Principal Rosa Branco shared with us.
Since Neymar’s enrollment in the Family Pack program, he can be found engaging more in class and sneaking to his cubby frequently to eat the extra fruits he receives from the Family Pack distributions.
‘My favorite part about the Family Packs are the different fruits we get that I can share with my family. Last time, we got oranges,’ Neymar told us.”
Photo provided by CFBNJ
3) What programs and initiatives do you have scheduled for the upcoming year?
“One exciting new initiative that we have coming up is the opening of our new pantry in Garfield as part of the Unity Health Partnership, a multisector collaborative effort to address the social determinants of health in Bergen County. The partnership includes the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), Greater Bergen Community Action, Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, The Garfield Health Department, Mid Bergen Regional Health Commission, CBH Care, Generations for Garfield, and North Hudson Community Action. The Unity Health Center will be a health and wellness center that provides accessible, quality, and comprehensive care to low-income, underserved, and underinsured residents of Garfield and the surrounding towns. It will contain a client choice food pantry, a demonstration kitchen, an in-house pharmacy, medical labs, examination rooms, and so much more.
Also, this year, our Board of Directors approved a multi-year strategic plan to drive the future direction of the organization. In it, CFBNJ aims to reduce food insecurity by 50% by the year 2030.”
More on the strategic plan here.
For upcoming fundraisers and ways to support CFBNJ, visit this link.