The Atlantic City casino industry and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) reached a milestone in their ongoing effort to fight food insecurity, announcing that the Casinos Unite Against Hunger campaign has raised nearly $380,000 since its launch in May 2025, which is the equivalent of providing more than 1.1 million meals to those in need.

The achievement was reached during CFBNJ’s inaugural “Meal on a Mission: A Chef’s Tableside Experience,” held on June 12 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The event brought together community leaders, well-known chefs, local businesses and supporters committed to addressing food insecurity throughout South Jersey.

South Jersey’s food insecurity is influenced by factors such as poverty concentration, access to grocery stores, and reliance on food banks, according to the New Jersey Food Security Initiative.

“Meal on a Mission is a powerful example of what can happen when the Atlantic City community comes together around a common goal,” said George Goldhoff, president, Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ).

“Through our partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Atlantic City’s casino industry is helping to create a meaningful, lasting impact for our families facing food insecurity throughout our region.”

During Meal on a Mission, the Atlantic City casino industry collectively donated nearly $120,000 to CFBNJ. This included a $50,000 donation from the CANJ, along with a $50,000 donation from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in honor of its eighth anniversary.

The inaugural event was made possible by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City as host and culinary visionary sponsor; CANJ as culinary visionary sponsor; Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City as executive chef sponsor; and Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa and Ocean Casino Resort as epicurean sponsors.

Chefs and restaurants from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Entertainment Properties, Golden Nugget Atlantic City, and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City participated in the event.

Casinos Unite Against Hunger is a collaborative initiative launched in May 2025 by the Atlantic City casino industry, in partnership with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, to address food insecurity in communities across South Jersey. In addition to financial support, casino employees have volunteered with CFBNJ initiatives and participated in community outreach efforts.

“Every day, too many individuals and families around New Jersey face difficult choices between paying bills, keeping a roof over their heads, and putting food on the table,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of organizations like the Casino Association of New Jersey as we work to eliminate hunger in the Garden State.”

CFBNJ is New Jersey’s largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization, providing food to more than 800 local food assistance organizations across 15 counties and connecting neighbors with resources that support long-term stability.

The Casino Association of New Jersey is a trade organization that provides a collective voice for the Atlantic City casino industry by facilitating the exchange of information and ideas between our industry, small businesses, Atlantic City stakeholders and the public.