In a historic move marking a new era for Monmouth County’s premier social service agency, Lunch Break has officially elevated Gwendolyn Love to the position of president and CEO. The appointment, announced Tuesday, transition’s Love from her 18-year tenure as executive director to becoming the organization’s first-ever chief executive.
The title change is more than a formality; it reflects the massive expansion of Lunch Break from a local soup kitchen into a sophisticated, multi-million-dollar nonprofit managing complex housing, employment, and food security programs.
For Love, the new role is a full-circle moment. Raised in public housing by a hardworking single mother who relied on the very types of assistance programs she now oversees, Love’s leadership is rooted in deep personal empathy.
“My own life journey is very much representative of what Lunch Break is about,” Love said. “I hope that my path from public housing to leading this amazing organization will be an inspiration to others and a testament that anything is possible when you put forth the effort.”
Her story has resonated deeply with the community and staff alike. Wallace Woods, the organization’s Grounds and Facilities Manager and a former client, recalled how Love “saved his life” 15 years ago by treating him with dignity when he was homeless. “She talked to me like a person. She reminded me that I matter,” Woods said.
Under Love’s direction, Lunch Break has evolved into a “low-barrier” resource hub that addresses the root causes of poverty. According to the organization’s 2025 Impact Report, the scale of their operations has reached unprecedented heights:
The organization’s motto, “Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow,” is powered by a network of over 2,000 volunteers and a recently expanded 22,000-square-foot facility on Drs. James Parker Boulevard.
The Board of Trustees noted that the “President and CEO” title brings Lunch Break into alignment with peer nonprofits across New Jersey, acknowledging the executive leadership required to manage its diverse partnerships, including its merger with Family Promise of Monmouth County.
“For years, Gwen has done a remarkable job… guiding the tremendous growth of our programs,” Robin Klein, president of the Board of Trustees said. “The Board felt it was important to accurately reflect those responsibilities and the scope of her leadership.”
