Bruce Springsteen has lent his image to the Community Foodbank of New Jersey for a newspaper ad. This is the official press release:
Bruce Springsteen: “We Can’t Let This ‘Bank’ Fail!”
The Boss Stands Up in Major Advertising Campaign to Raise Awareness
of Desperate State of New Jersey’s Largest Food Bank –
Hillside, N.J., Nov. 11, 2008 – Legendary music icon Bruce Springsteen will be lending his voice to the fight against hunger in New Jersey by appearing in a major advertising campaign for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey – the largest food bank in the state. With bare shelves and demand for food among state residents far outpacing supply, the FoodBank is in danger of being unable to meet the needs of New Jersey’s hungry. Consumers are encouraged to visit www.njfoodbank.org or call 908-355-FOOD (3663) to learn how they can help.
Springsteen will headline the ad entitled, “We Can’t Let This Bank Fail,” a call to action for people to contribute in any way they can to help the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. A supporter of the FoodBank for 23 years, this ad marks the first time Springsteen has publicly lent his image to the campaign, due to the urgency of the situation. The Grammy award-winning musician often donates proceeds from his concerts to the organization.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is facing a dire shortage of food, so much so that – without the public’s support – it may, for the first time in its history, begin to ration food. This is a state-wide crisis, with the unstable economy resulting in a 30 percent increase in those needing food. In years past, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey has provided assistance to more than 500,000 New Jerseyans, but expects to see a major uptick in need this year, especially during the winter months when people often struggle between paying heating and food bills.
“With the shelves at our warehouse bare, the situation has felt bleak, until the moment when Bruce Springsteen volunteered to help our cause,” said Kathleen DiChiara, founder of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “We believe that his generous spirit will inspire others to contribute and lend a hand to those in need. He is a symbol of hope.”
The ad will appear in The New York Times. The Star-Ledger, The Bergen Record and the Daily Record on Sunday, Nov. 16th.
About the Community FoodBank of New Jersey
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), a member of Feeding America, fights hunger and poverty by the distribution of food and grocery products, by education and training, by creating new programs to meet the needs of low-income people, and by involving all sectors of society in this battle. Since its incorporation in 1982, the CFBNJ has grown in both the size and scope of its operation. CFBNJ annually assists charities serving approximately 500,000 people in need. With the help of so many caring individuals, corporations, foundations, houses of worship, schools and community groups, CFBNJ has distributed, since its incorporation, more than 300 million pounds of food and groceries valued at more than half-a-billion dollars.
