CIT Group announced that its Livingston-based employees have donated more than 30 tons (60,000 pounds) of food as part of its inaugural company-wide global initiative to fight hunger. The food will be donated to Morris Plains, NJ-based Interfaith Food Pantry and is expected to provide approximately 50,000 meals to families in New Jersey. This effort will be added to the 87 tons (174,000 pounds) of food and personal items previously donated by CIT’s Jacksonville, Florida employees over the last seven years during their annual food drive. Building on this strong foundation of giving, CIT offices around the world will sponsor similar Employee Food Drives throughout 2013 in addition to continuing to sponsor local volunteer projects that support their neighbors and community organizations.

“I am extremely proud of the overwhelming support and generous contributions of our employees who donated in excess of 30 tons of food – more than triple our initial food drive goal,” said John Thain, Chairman and CEO of CIT. “Volunteer groups and non-profit organizations such as New Jersey’s Interfaith Food Pantry do a tremendous amount to support our communities. It’s important that we support their good work in an effort to further strengthen the fabric of the communities in which we live and work.”

Rosemary Gilmartin, Executive Director at New Jersey’s Interfaith Food Pantry, said, “We’re grateful to CIT for their generous donation to our organization – which was sorely needed as our supply was perilously low. The demand has been incredible as the economy continues to struggle. While we receive wonderful support from the entire community, we have never seen a drive on this scale done by one company. It’s truly remarkable and we are extremely overjoyed to receive such great support from such an extraordinary team of people.”

Established in 1994, New Jersey’s Interfaith Food Pantry was formed when a group from local houses of worship decided to address the growing issue of hunger by consolidating their food assistance programs. As a non-denominational, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Pantry helps families make ends meet by supplementing their monthly groceries in times of need.