Atlantic City casinos donated more than $170,000 to address food insecurity across the state.
The funds, which were raised by the Casino Association of New Jersey through its Casinos United Against Hunger campaign, were presented at Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Night of 300,000 Meals on May 1. The event brought together local chefs, restaurants and community members to help provide 300,000 meals for neighbors in need. Chefs from Atlantic City casinos participated in the annual event.
“Ending hunger will take all of us stepping up to do more for our neighbors,” Mark Giannantonio, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey said. “Atlantic City casinos are coming together to form Casinos United Against Hunger, a new campaign dedicated to strengthening our efforts to combat food insecurity in New Jersey. By supporting important organizations like the CFBNJ, we will help address hunger by providing meals to families throughout the state.”
“Atlantic County has some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state,” Elizabeth McCarthy, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey said. “We’re grateful to the Casino Association of New Jersey for helping to honor the FoodBank’s 50th anniversary with their generous support and for uniting the Atlantic City casino community to help address hunger. Through this partnership, we can provide more meals to local families in need and make a lasting impact in the area.”
In addition to the CFBNJ’s 50th anniversary, the partnership between the CANJ and CFBNJ comes at an especially crucial time given the level of food insecurity in New Jersey. Nearly 1 million people in the state, including more than 260,000 children, are at risk of hunger. Atlantic County, home to Atlantic City’s casinos, has some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state, with 12.2% of residents and 17.4% of children affected.
The casinos involved in the Casinos United Against Hunger initiative – Bally’s Atlantic City Casino Resort, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City Resorts, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Ocean Casino Resort and Resorts Casino Hotel – are joining a long-standing tradition of support for CFBNJ.
