Center for Food Action marks 50 years with October gala

Center for Food Action will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Oct. 22 at Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, honoring its history fighting hunger in northern New Jersey and raising support for families facing rising food and economic insecurity.

Why it matters: - Center for Food Action supported more than 170,000 Bergen and Passaic counties residents in 2025 with food, rental and utility assistance. - The nonprofit is responding as more families face higher costs for groceries, housing, transportation and other essentials. - Every ticket sold for the anniversary gala directly supports CFA's mission.

What happened: - Center for Food Action will host its 50th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, at Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park. - The event will bring together community members to honor five decades of work fighting hunger and helping families facing economic hardship. - CFA was founded in 1976 after volunteers received a grant from Grammy Award-winning musician Harry Chapin and radio host Bill Ayres.

The details: - The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Westmount Country Club, 728 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park, NJ 07424. - The celebration will honor four recipients: singer-songwriter and humanitarian Tom Chapin, Patricia Espy, Adele LaTourette of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, and Ramapo College of New Jersey's Data Science program. - Patricia Espy served as CFA's executive director for 36 years. - Ramapo College's Data Science program is being recognized for its contributions to CFA and the broader community. - CFA says event registration, program ads, sponsorships and donations are available through more information. - Vanessa J. Hawthorne is the listed media contact for Center for Food Action at +1 201-569-1804 ext. 68. - CFA's social media accounts are listed on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The anniversary gives CFA a fundraising moment at a time when demand for food and basic-needs assistance is rising. - Honoring both longtime leaders and community partners signals CFA is tying its past to the network that sustains its current work. - The focus on economic hardship suggests the organization sees hunger as part of a broader affordability problem, not a standalone issue.

What's next: - CFA will use the Oct. 22 gala to recognize honorees and generate support for its next phase of work. - The organization is positioning the event as part celebration, part fundraising drive to extend its services over the next 50 years.