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Department of State

Volunteer and National Service

The Hon. Tahesha Way, Lt. Governor and Secretary of State
Volunteer

Memoriam

Honoring Her Legacy - Kathleen DiChiara

kathleen

The Governor’s Office of Volunteerism joins the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in mourning the passing of the FoodBank’s beloved founder, Kathleen DiChiara. Kathleen gave hope to countless people as she dared to dream of a hunger-free Garden State. Kathleen was a passionate humanitarian, a captivating leader, and a caring friend. She passed away on October 11 surrounded by her family.

Kathleen's lifetime of service began in the early 1970s, when she organized the Loaves and Fishes food collection at her church. In 1975, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey was born when she started giving out food from the back of her station wagon in downtown Newark. Under her exemplary leadership as Executive Director until 2015, she propelled our organization towards its mission of ensuring that everyone in New Jersey - at all times - has enough to eat.

Her compassion and dedication to helping those in need knew no bounds and extended beyond her leadership of CFBNJ. Kathleen's visionary approach focused on holistic solutions to food insecurity and poverty. She designed and implemented programs that have been replicated by food banks nationwide. She also helped start the National Diaper Bank Network when she learned that food insecure families were struggling to afford diapers.

During her incredible life, Kathleen was recognized by three U.S. Presidents, three governors of New Jersey, and even the Pope. She was a 2013 inductee of the New Jersey Hall of Fame and received eight honorary doctorates from colleges and universities in New York and New Jersey. Kathleen will be greatly missed. Please join us in honoring her legacy.

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