Editor’s note: This story originally appeared on binje.com. Click here for the story.
Affinity Federal Credit Union marked its fourth annual Impact Day by partnering with Table to Table, New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue organization, to provide nearly 5,000 meals to local families in need.
The major volunteer effort saw over 370 Affinity employees participate at the credit union’s headquarters in Basking Ridge on Oct. 14 (Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day), when branches were closed. Employees from across Affinity’s tri-state footprint—from New Jersey to Connecticut—assembled meals, including sandwiches, snacks, and water, and included words of inspiration for recipients.
The prepared meals were distributed to 16 community nonprofits across the northern half of New Jersey that work directly with individuals and families facing hunger.
News 12 New Jersey ran a story about food prices rising faster than inflation, an estimated 30% since the COVID pandemic. Our Executive Director Heather Thompson spoke with News12 about individuals and families experiencing food insecurity and the choices they’re making regarding what food to purchase.
Table to Table is New Jersey’s first and largest food rescue nonprofit, bridging the gap between food being wasted and people facing food insecurity. We bring rescued fresh, nutritious food to 303 community partners, including social service organizations, pantries, shelters, fresh produce markets and centralized distribution hubs. Food is provided free of charge. Through this, Table to Table touches a diversity of those in need, including families, children, veterans, and older adults, making good nutrition accessible while serving as a stimulus for other longer-term benefits. Since 1999 we have rescued more than 120,700 tons of nutritious food—enough for 241,400,846 million meals—and delivered it to our neighbors in need, saving over 544 metric tons of methane saved.
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