The Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s Renee Helfenstein (left), assistant vice president for events, marketing and communications, joins JLL’s Kelsey Nakumara, cochair of NAIOP New Jersey’s Community Action Committee, at the real estate organization’s 2024 Golf Classic and Pickleball Tournament on Sept. 3. — Courtesy: On The Spot Photos (via NAIOP)
By Joshua Burd
The state’s commercial real estate sector came together last month for a day of friendly competition and community action as NAIOP New Jersey hosted its 2024 Golf Classic and Pickleball Tournament, in a show of support for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey
According to the industry organization, the Sept. 3 event drew a sold-out crowd to Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit. That helped raise funds for some 15,000 meals for CFBNJ, the largest antihunger, antipoverty organization in New Jersey, where nearly 1 million people — including one in eight children — are food insecure.
“This is the first time our annual Golf Classic has worked in a community service component, and it’s a wonderful way for the New Jersey real estate community to support one of the finest organizations of its kind,” said David Nenner, senior vice president of asset management with CenterPoint Properties, who cochaired the event. “This is a close-knit group, and when we come together, we get things done.”
The event comes as part of a long history between NAIOP New Jersey and CFBNJ. Last year, the food bank provided more than 90 million nutritious meals through its network of more than 800 community partners including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and child and senior nutrition programs.
NAIOP, meantime, has a robust Community Action Committee supporting partners on important issues including food insecurity, housing and environmental justice, helping to raise funds, in-kind materials and services and recruit volunteers from the chapter’s membership. Past projects have included 1 Million Meals for NJ, volunteer days at food banks and targeted fundraising campaigns.
“It’s terrific that our members are coming up with more creative ways to further our support for this impactful organization, whose mission is aligned with ours,” said committee Co-chair Kelsey Nakamura, a senior vice president with JLL’s brokerage team. “CFBNJ serves 15 counties in New Jersey, and through NAIOP NJ’s efforts we are able to deepen our investment in the communities where we live and work.”
Nakamura, who also chairs CFBNJ’s Emerging Leaders board, noted that NAIOP New Jersey’s renewed support comes at a time when the organization has launched a four-year strategic plan focused on increasing effectiveness and impact. Getting food to people who need it is strategically and thoughtfully combined with supportive services and strategic advocacy to meet specific community and neighbor needs.
“NAIOP NJ’s membership consists of organizations that are good neighbors who like to help lift up their neighbors in need,” said James Rhatican, golf cochair and Hartz Mountain Industries Inc.’s vice president of land use and development and assistant general counsel. “We encourage others to look into the good services provided by CFBNJ and consider helping or getting involved themselves.”
