Fulfill, Formerly the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Announces Kim Guadagno as President & CEO

On May 3, 2019

Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, announced that former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno will serve as the new president and CEO of the organization. Guadagno will start in the position on Monday, May 6.

Fulfill strives to alleviate hunger and build food security in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. In Monmouth and Ocean Counties alone, Feeding America reports one in ten residents do not know where their next meal will come from and, of that number, 21,000 children in Monmouth and 25,000 in Ocean go to bed hungry tonight.

Fulfill provides 13.2 million meals every year to help these neighbors. Fulfill also provides job training, assistance with health care and a variety of additional services that can assist those in need.

“Our mission is driven by a desire to help those who have fallen on hard times,” said Jeremy Grunin, Chair of Fulfill’s Board of Trustees. “In searching for a new CEO, we wanted someone with an established history of charitable giving and involvement; extensive connections that could bring new resources to the organization; and who could help bring greater attention to Fulfill and its programs so we can serve as a model for other non-profits statewide. We have found that and more in Lieutenant Governor Guadagno.”

Through its network of 300 food pantries and kitchens, Fulfill provides meals and helps the counties’ most vulnerable file tax returns, find health insurance, learn job skills and gain access to local, state and federal services to help families get on their feet for good.  Through its culinary arts training program, Fulfill has graduated 389 trainees.

“As Fulfill’s CEO, I plan to bring a voice to the growing number of our neighbors who do not know where their next meal will come from,” said Guadagno. “Over the next few months, I hope to reach every corner of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to raise awareness of the problem of hunger in our own backyard and to raise awareness of the services Fulfill provides to try to solve the problem.  No child should ever go to bed not knowing where his or her next meal will come from.  No parent should ever struggle to put food on their table.”

Lieutenant Governor Guadagno has been a Monmouth County resident for almost 30 years. In that time, she has raised her family in Monmouth County, been a town commissioner, the Monmouth County Sheriff and the state’s first Lieutenant Governor. Her background touches every aspect of Fulfill’s mission, from raising and supporting a family to working with non-profits, to involvement with local schools and the faith-based and business communities.

Guadagno has witnessed first-hand the significant impact food insecurity has on communities, from food banks to pantries, soup kitchens to food deserts, and of the success of programs such as Farm to Table and Breakfast at the Bell.  Fulfill believes these experiences make Guadagno a great choice to fight hunger and raise awareness about food insecurity, one of the most pressing threats to the most vulnerable in our own community.

The contacts made over the tenure of Lieutenant Governor Guadagno’s accomplished career will allow her to diversify the support for Fulfill and provide their neighbors with the tools they need to win the battle against hunger. Moreover, her experiences and relationship with New Jersey’s business community give her clear insight on how to best enable Fulfill to achieve its goal of providing comprehensive services to the community including job training and financial literacy support.

Lieutenant Governor Guadagno will continue to serve as a partner at Connell Foley, servicing her current clients. Connell Foley has not only represented FulFill for decades but has a long tradition of service to the community through pro bono, public service and non-profit work.

Elected officials from both parties, the business community and government advocacy groups praised Fulfill’s selection of Guadagno as the new CEO.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: