The "Meal on a Mission" event, held on June 12, served as the latest push in the broader "Casinos Unite Against Hunger" campaign. During the evening, the industry contributed nearly $120,000 in fresh donations, bolstered by a $50,000 gift from the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) and a matching $50,000 contribution from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. George Goldhoff, president of the CANJ, described the collaboration as a vital effort to address regional food insecurity through a unified industry front.

Beyond the recent gala, the partnership involves ongoing logistical support and employee volunteerism, including mobile pantry operations in Ventnor and seasonal turkey distributions. Elizabeth McCarthy, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, noted that these funds provide essential relief for families struggling to balance housing and utility costs with basic nutrition. The CFBNJ currently coordinates with over 800 local organizations to distribute food across 15 counties, making it the state’s primary anti-hunger network.