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Electronic Press Kit ______

MEDIA CONTACT Dan Knitzer SoupKitchen411 162 Broad Street Hightstown, NJ, 08520 Phone: 973-978-3956 [email protected]

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ABOUT FEEDNJ & SOUPKITCHEN411 ______

Recognizing the sheer volume of food insecurity in America, Ken DeRoberts and Phillip Gentile established SoupKitchen411 in 2015 as a non-profit to raise awareness about the epidemic of hunger, and a hub for advocates to donate their time, talent and treasure. The organization developed a database of soup kitchens and other places where free meals are regularly served, utilizing interactive maps to provide detailed information about 250+ tri-state area, and over 800 national soup kitchens and food pantries, including phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and types of meal services offered.

Food insecurity in communities has always been an issue, but the COVID-19 pandemic raised the number of people experiencing food insecurity to numbers not seen in the modern era. Recognizing the need to act, New Jersey State Assembly Speaker and Port Authority of NY/NJ Chairman Kevin O’Toole agreed to Ch-Chair the FeedNJ initiative in April 2020 to curb pandemic related food insecurity while stimulating local economies and keeping struggling restaurants afloat. The campaign’s slogan has become “Save a Restaurant, Feed a Community,” and since the campaign’s kickoff in April, has served nearly 40,000 restaurant-purchased meals to dozens of soup kitchens across the state.

The unique mission of the FeedNJ initiative recognizes the need to support restaurants in a time where all small businesses–but especially restaurants–are struggling to stay in business due to COVID-19 ​ ​ ​ ​ mandated closures. FeedNJ provides steady income to local small businesses and economies.

Additionally, this relieves some of the intense burden faced by soup kitchens to feed growing numbers of patrons without the funding needed to expand their staff, or physical space available.

SoupKitchen411 and FeedNJ have pledged to ensure that all communities across the state are well-fed, without preference on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion age or culture. We want to ensure that soup kitchens have the support they need to serve their communities, as well as support local restaurant businesses, which drive our economy, as they combat increased regulation and the typical declines in restaurant patronage that have always accompanied recessions.

FeedNJ and its partners feed anyone who needs a free meal, no matter their racial or ethnic background, their age, their gender or sexuality, or their culture. By providing meals to those in need, FeedNJ ensures that no individual goes hungry. This helps to sustain communities and creates new bonds between the local soup kitchens, residents and area restaurants. FeedNJ also has a diverse group of restaurant partners, many of which are minority and women-owned. Food insecurity does not ​ discriminate, and neither does FeedNJ.

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FEED NJ LEADERSHIP ______

The Honorable Craig J. Coughlin, Co-Chairman

Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly. Mr. Coughlin received a B.S. ​ ​ degree from St. John's University and a J.D. degree from St. John's University School of Law. He served on the South Amboy Board of Education from 1983 to 1987. In 1987 he was elected to the South Amboy City Council, serving until 1993. He worked as an attorney before serving as a municipal court judge for Edison Township in 2005. He has served in the State Assembly since 2010, serving as Speaker of the Assembly since 2018. He is a partner at the law firm Rainone-Coughlin-Minchello. He founded the Charity Bowl for Hunger which for over 10 years has raised money to combat food insecurity.

The Honorable Kevin O’Toole, Co-Chair

Chairman of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Mr. O'Toole has ​ had a long and distinguished career in public service at the local and state level in New Jersey. He served on the Cedar Grove Town Council from 1989 to 1996 and as Mayor in 1990, 1993 and 1995. He was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1995 and served until May 2001. He then served in the State Senate from May 2001 until January 2002. Kevin was elected again to the General Assembly in 2001 and re-elected twice. He was elected to the State Senate in 2007 and re-elected in 2011 and 2013. Kevin retired as a State Senator on July 1, 2017 to begin his term as a Commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“Hunger is not a partisan issue. Our purchasing of meals in bulk provides a supplemental form of ​ business to small, mostly-family-owned restaurants in our local communities. This allows more employees to return to work, for restaurants to pay and continue providing healthcare to workers and to have a greater safety net. Just as importantly, delivering quality meals to soup kitchens ensures that the soup kitchen staff has a day to catch up, rest, and prepare to serve their guests for the other days of the week.” ​ –New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole

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STATISTICS AND INFORMATION ______

● In 2018, 9% of New Jersey Residents struggled with Food Insecurity ​ ​ ○ COVID-19 has the potential to double that number globally ​ ● Nationwide, 1 in 6 restaurants shut down because of the pandemic ​ ​ ● In New Jersey, 36% of restaurants have been forced to shut down ​ ​ ● FeedNJ has partnered so far with more than 80 New Jersey owned and operated restaurants ● FeedNJ has also partnered with over 25 incredible food distribution programs and social-service ​ ​ centers in 13 counties, and plans to expand to more counties in 2021 ​ ​ ● From April 2020 through December 2020, SoupKitchen411 and FeedNJ have served 33,305 ​ meals state-wide and plans to serve more than 150,000 in 2021

Funding for the purchasing of meals and programmatic operations comes from philanthropic grants through private foundations and government agencies, New Jersey businesses and individuals. Because FeedNJ has only three part time staff members, over 94% of the funding raised goes directly towards programming efforts.

In addition to regularly scheduled meal services, in August, FeedNJ launched #FeedingFriday, a large day ​ ​ of action one Friday each month, where a minimum of three meal services take place across the state. The August, September, October and December #FeedingFriday each eclipsed 1,500 meals day.

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TESTIMONIALS ______

"Having programs like FeedNJ that really are looking out for the little guy gives me hope! You have to experience the gratitude that comes with serving meals to people in need." –Fran Schults, Owner of Bacon Beach Grille, Long Branch ​

"With this great movement here at Eva's Village, through FeedNJ, there's a feeling of surpassing pride. We don't want to see anybody left behind. We don't want to see anybody hungry, we can't feed everyone, but we're just trying to do our part. It's very gratifying to us. I appreciate it." –Shane Gerald, Owner, Fast Break Cafe, Paterson ​

“Business has been very tough during this pandemic, and having a program like FeedNJ that will not only pay for meals, enabling me to retain my employees, but also donate those meals to people in our community who need them the most, is a really special thing. I’m so glad this program exists.” –John Mastroianni, Owner of Zizza’s Deli, Florham Park ​ ​ ​

“When people come here for food, and they see meals from their favorite restaurants, or restaurants ​ they know of, it makes them feel special." –Chef Dave Bein, Kitchen Director at Eva's Village ​

“I and my family are thankful for the Feed NJ program. This program is helping not only our residents but also supporting our local restaurants. We are honored to play a small part of this effort.” –Harry Pozycki, Esq, founder/current chairman of the Citizens Campaign, Perth Amboy ​

“With so many people facing financial hardship due to the Novel coronavirus outbreak, we have increased our investment in community-based organizations that battle food insecurity, and found FeedNJ’s work to be among the best, anywhere. We appreciate FeedNJ’s unique approach of activating local restaurants to prepare quality meals for residents in need.” –Braxton Plummer, Verizon’s New Jersey Director of State and Local Affairs

“This Anti-Hunger Initiative is a wonderful opportunity for our company and others who have a commitment to support local community needs during this challenging time. We are proud and excited to be a part of the ongoing work of FeedNJ.” –Nancy Sadlon, Manager of Public Affairs, Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery in Linden, NJ

“I’ve seen firsthand the wonderful work FeedNJ is doing to combat hunger and food insecurity in Monmouth County. They’ve already served 30,000 meals, and I’m confident they will continue to build on that success. Thank you to everyone who has donated their time and resources to help New Jerseyans who need it the most.” –Congressman Frank Pallone

“FeedNJ has been the gold standard for how to support our local restaurants and combat food insecurity in the region.” –New Jersey Senator Vin Gopal ​

“The unique design of FeedNJ allows the organization to not only help distribute food to residents in need but also provides crucial business to restaurants that are experiencing hardship due to COVID19. It was important to me to identify restaurants in my hometown that could help in this endeavor to support nonprofits that are acting as safety nets throughout the pandemic.” –New Jersey Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez ​

“We all know someone who has been affected by food insecurity or income insecurity during this pandemic. Growing up, my family was always food and income insecure. People deserve to enjoy a warm, nutritious meal, and when it’s from a restaurant they know and love, and it’s free, that’s a really special feeling.” –New Jersey Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro

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SPONSORS AND GRANTS ______

● Altria ● Middlesex County ● Amazon ● New Jersey Manufacturers (NJM) ● American Water ● NJ Bankers Association ● AT&T ● NJ Firemen's Mutual Benevolent ● Atlantic City Electric Association (NJFMBA) ● BCB Bank ● NY Shipping Association ● Berkshire Bank ● NJ PBA 105 ● Coca-Cola ● Pfizer ● Comcast ● Philips66 ● CVS Health ● Progressive Capital International ● Fairview Insurance ● Prudential ● Federal Business Centers ● RAI ● Hackensack Meridian Health ● Raul Esquivel Family Trust ● Horizon Insurance ● RWJ Foundation ● Insurance Council of NJ ● SJI Industries ● JCP&L ● Spencer Savings Bank ● Jefferson Health ● T&M Associates ● Mercadian ● Verizon ● Mercury Public Affairs ● Wal-Mart ● Wells Fargo

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PARTNERING ELECTED OFFICIALS ______

Recognizing the immense benefit that FeedNJ offers to community members experiencing food insecurity, struggling businesses, and hardworking soup kitchen staffs, New Jersey elected officials at the state, federal, and local levels have joined to support FeedNJ’s work, participating at events in their communities. These FeedNJ partners cumulatively represent all or portions of Bergen; Burlington; ​ Hudson; Hunterdon; Mercer; Middlesex; Monmouth; Morris; Ocean; Passaic; and Union Counties.

Congressman Frank Pallone Senator Vin Gopal Senator Assemblywoman Carol Murphy Assemblyman Assemblywoman Assemblyman Dan Benson Assemblyman Wayne D'Angelo Assemblyman Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson Assemblyman and Speaker Craig Coughlin Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez Assemblywoman Assemblyman Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro Mercer Commissioner Nina Melker Middlesex Commissioner Claribel Azcona Barber Middlesex Commissioner Charles Tomaro Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone Morris County Republican Chairwoman Laura Ali Passaic County Commissioner Assad Akhter Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin, and Hamilton Council Members Pat Papero, Anthony Carabelli Jr, Chuddy Whalen and Rick Tighe Matawan Mayor Joe Altomonte, Council members Stephanie Buckel, Deanna Gunn, and John Lazer New Brunswick Council Vice President Suzanne Sicora Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac

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SOUP KITCHEN AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS ______

FeedNJ is proud to have over 25 Soup Kitchen partners located in 13 counties across the state. Atlantic ● Atlantic City Rescue Mission ● Salvation Army - Atlantic City Bergen ● Bergen Family Promise Camden ● Cathedral Kitchen Essex ● St. John’s Soup Kitchen ● Salvation Army - Montclair ● Toni’s Kitchen Hudson ● Let’s Celebrate Hunterton ● Flemington Area Food Pantry Mercer ● Trenton Area Soup Kitchen ● New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition Middlesex ● Salvation Army Corps - Perth Amboy ● Hogar Crea ● Elijah’s Promise ● Trinity Soup Kitchen ● Renovation House ● Hands of Hope Monmouth ● Lunch Break ● Unsung Heroes ● Borough Council - Matawan Morris ● Table of Hope Ocean ● Osbornville Soup Kitchen ● Upper Room Soup Kitchen

Passaic ● Eva’s Village ● Salvation Army - Paterson Union ● St. Joseph Social Services Center ● Salvation Army - Plainfield

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RESTAURANT PARTNERS ______

Andreotti's - Cherry Hill La Madonna - Matawan Bacon Beach Grille - Long Branch Lagosta - Asbury Park Base and Graze - Orange Mario's Pizza - Hoboken Bayway Catering - Linden Mastoris - Bordentown Bella Gina - Linden McDonalds - Trenton Belle John's Soul Food - Orange McGovern's Tavern - Newark Blue Moon Mexican Cafe - Englewood Mena International - Perth Amboy Brookside Deli - New Brunswick Michelino's Pizza - Elizabeth Cafe Torres - Perth Amboy Neapoli Italian Kitchen - Red Bank Cafe Villa OneBistro - Deal Candela's - Lawrenceville Phily Diner - Runnemede Catch 19 - Red Bank Pines Manor - Monroe Chicken Holiday - Ewing Portuegese Express - Elizabeth Deserios - Edison Providence Bar & Grill - New Providence DiBari's - Matawan Revere - Ewing El Toro Loco - South Brunswick Rutgers Club - New Brunswick Elisa's Catering LLC - Trenton Smokehouse 1911 - Trenton Fast Break Cafe - Patterson So Fresh, So Clean - Orange Five Guys - Jersey City Stella's Pizza Parlor - Ewing Gabriella's - Red Bank Tavern on George - New Brunswick Gencarelli - Newark Teddy's Diner - Cranbury Gennaro's - Hamilton Tequila Grill - Elizabeth Greek Eats The Barge - Perth Amboy Hatch 44 - Metuchen Torna Sorrento- Elizabeth Horseshoe Tavern - Mendham Toros - Paterson Hummingbird - Trenton Uncle Willie's Wings - Newark JBJ Soul Kitchen - Red Bank Village Deli Pantry - West Windsor JoJo’s Tavern - Hamilton Wood Stack Pizza - Pine Brook Kilarney's - Hamilton Zizza's Deli - Florham Park

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MEDIA COVERAGE ______

Lunch at Eva's Kitchen in Paterson benefits 300 needy people and a local restaurant, too July 23, 2020 By Camille Furst

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck New Jersey, Feed NJ has bought food from local restaurants throughout the state and served it from soup kitchens to those in need. The program has raised over $200,000 through donations from business, and on Thursday, Feed NJ bought 300 meals from a local restaurant, Toros, to serve to the community through Eva’s Village. …….. The partnership between Feed NJ and Eva’s Village, however, has brought hope to many who are struggling with food insecurity. As for DeRoberts, his hope is that, in the future, soup kitchens will become extinct.

“We need to do more as a country to feed hungry people and support them. So that would be my goal, to see soup kitchens go out of business because we’re doing such a good job taking care.”

FeedNJ, in partnership with SoupKitchen411, brings together local restaurants struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic providing money for them to prepare meals for local soup kitchens. Toros Restaurant provided three hundred meals to Eva's Village Community Kitchen for their clients on July 23, 2020.”

Soup Kitchen 411 is feeding the hungry and supporting local businesses (video news segment) ​ ​ November 12, 2020 By Miguel Amaya

PATERSON, New Jersey -- Soup Kitchen 411, an organization combating food ​ ​ insecurity in America, is feeding the hungry while providing support to local restaurants impacted by the global pandemic through their FeedNJ initiative.

"With the onset of the pandemic, the increase in hunger challenges has grown significantly, so we needed to do something to help," said Kenneth DeRoberts, Chairman and Co-founder of Soup Kitchen 411.

The campaign, which collects donations from individuals, small businesses, and large corporations to buy meals from local restaurants is providing meals in soup kitchens across New Jersey in cities like Long Branch, Paterson, Elizabeth, Trenton, and Morristown.

…….. For Shane Gerald, owner of Fast Break Café in Paterson, New Jersey, the program has allowed him to continue helping the community while also helping out his restaurant stay in business during these challenging times.

How to volunteer and donate in New Jersey during the coronavirus outbreak (12/06/20)

December 6, 2020 By Linda O’Brien

…….. Knitzer said, “The operators and staff at soup kitchens where we provide meals ​ ​ are saying that we’re nine months into this and the situation is perhaps more dire than ever; people’s rainy-day funds are coming up empty. It’s more difficult now for families to put food on the tables.”

This week, soup kitchens in Perth Amboy, Newark and Woodbridge will receive free restaurant-prepared meals to serve to residents in need.

At 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday, meals provided by The Barge will be served at Hogar Crea, located at 387 Cortlandt St. in Perth Amboy.

At 11 a.m. on Wednesday and Friday, restaurant meals from Deserios will be served at the Trinity Soup Kitchen at 51 Trinity Lane in Woodbridge.

On Friday at 9:30 a.m., meals from McGovern’s Tavern will be served at St. John’s Soup Kitchen, 22 Mulberry St., Newark.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact communities of color and low to moderate income residents throughout New Jersey and with so many things to worry about I believe access to food should not be one of them,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-19th District). “FeedNJ has done amazing work in my District and across New Jersey and I urge anyone looking to support a worthy cause to direct their donations to FeedNJ so they can continue this critical work.”

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SOUPKITCHEN411 BOARD MEMBERS ______

Kenneth DeRoberts

Chairman and Co-Founder of SK411, Ken is also the CEO of Progressive Capital International (PCI) and Government Strategy Group (GSG) which provides strategic management advice to ​ county and local governments.

DeRoberts is the founder, Chairman and CEO for SoupKitchen 411 as well as the Municipal Innovation Summit. He serves a member of the Board of Directors for W2E International, Inc., and currently is Co-Chairman for the Legislative District 11 Economic Recovery Advisory Council.

Philip Gentile

Co-Founder and CFO of SK411, Philip Gentile has, over the past 25 years, provided advice and counseling to public and private businesses, governmental agencies and non-profit entities. Throughout his professional career he has successfully worked hand-in-hand with non-profits, local governments and small businesses in fulfilling their missions.

Mr. Gentile holds a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University and a BA degree in Economics from State University of New York at Albany.

Raul Esquivel

Raul Esquivel is currently a private investor in Hoboken, New Jersey. From 1997 to 2005, Mr. Esquivel was the Head of U.S. Equity Research. From 2005 to 2009 he was the Head of Equities for the Americas, with responsibility for the Equity Research, Sales and Trading, Equity Derivatives and Prime Services functions of the investment bank. From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Esquivel served as the Head of UBS Investment Bank-Latin America.