“Bowl for Hunger” Raises $235,000; Sets Record for Assembly Speaker’s Annual Fundraiser
As part of his continuous efforts to eliminate food insecurity in New Jersey, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-19th Dist.) held his 16th Annual “Bowl for Hunger” event on Monday, July 21. The popular event attracted hundreds of participants and raised a record of more than $235,000 to support Central Jersey food banks. Organizers say that number will continue to climb, as pledges and donations are still coming in.
The biggest contributions came from Amazon and Colonial Pipeline - both writing checks for $15,000, the largest single gifts in the history of the fundraiser at Majestic Lanes.
For the first time in the event’s history, it featured three two-hour sessions of bowling, all of which sold-out weeks in advance, demonstrating the support of major corporations, smaller businesses, developers and government affairs groups for fighting hunger.
Since Bowl For Hunger’s inception in 2010, more than $830,000 has been raised to support the 19th Legislative District’s food banks, serving food-insecure residents. There are 20 food banks in the district.
The event was held in partnership with the Hackensack Meridian Health, Middlesex Water Company, and Woodbridge Metro Chamber of Commerce. As is his tradition, Coughlin visited each bowling team, took a snapshot or two and thanked event participants and sponsors for supporting the event.
“I am truly grateful to the 700-plus bowlers who attended and the scores of sponsors and volunteers who made the annual event truly memorable and record-setting with over $225,000 raised," Coughlin said. "It’s heartwarming to see the response of people throughout the state who are willing to support our seniors, children and working-class families who are adversely impacted by inflation among other economic challenges.
“Hunger and food security have no bounds, and does not discriminate based on any demographic, political affiliation or one’s municipality of residence. I am so proud that our community rallies behind this cause without hesitation,” Couglin added.
Coughlin and his Bowl for Hunger Committee are thanking 136 corporate and individual sponsors, including 27 organizations that donated $2,500 or more. They include: Colonial Pipeline, Amazon, Uber, Altria, Jingoli/DCO Energy, Hard Rock Casino Atlantic City, Johnson & Johnson, Anheuser-Busch, Borgota Hotel & Casino, Commercial Metals Company, CVS, DEVCO, Fidelis Care, Golden Nugget Casino, Helix NJ Health and Life Science Exchange, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP, Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, LLC, Newport, NJ Reentry Corporation, NJEA, PepsiCo, PSEG, RWJBarnabas Health, Elizabethtown Gas, and Wonder.
This year’s effort included greater pre-event fundraising activities and donations from local businesses with both Wonder and Vito Mazza Salon donating a percentage of sales to the cause and companies such as Coca-Cola, Wakefern Food Corp. and Weis Markets donating non-perishable food and beverage items to REPLENISH, Middlesex County’s food bank distributor.
This year’s event featured a 2-4 p.m. matinée, coupled with the traditional 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. sessions, where more than 700 bowlers took part on 120 bowling lanes.
It's not to late to participate! Interested community members or businesses still wishing to make a donation to the “Bowl for Hunger” should contact the Bowl for Hunger committee at BowlforHunger.com or e-mail info@Bowlforhunger.com. The grand total will be released in the coming weeks.