Making an Impact

by Staff | Apr 15, 2026

As more and more companies in South Jersey integrate corporate social responsibility into their operations, their selfless efforts are noticeably driving social impact and strengthening our communities. The organizations highlighted in our annual Community Impact Awards understand this all too well, which is why they prioritize civic engagement and lend a helping hand through volunteer work, charitable donations, philanthropic endeavors and more. Read on to find out more about how these businesses are motivated to give back to those who need it most.

Capehart Scatchard

Capehart Scatchard takes its long-standing commitment of civic responsibility to the community seriously, and considers it both a privilege and an obligation. The firm frequently offers financial support as well as volunteering time to local organizations, with its attorneys and staff eager to participate in community activities.

From participating in nonprofit organizations, serving on a myriad of civic boards, coaching Little League or providing board leadership at institutions of higher learning, the company encourages its employees to be active in civic, community and charitable affairs.

Attorneys from Capehart Scatchard’s Workers’ Compensation Department recently participated in the 11^th Annual Bowl for the Kids event hosted by Kids’ Chance of New Jersey. The annual fundraiser benefits Kids’ Chance, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and educational opportunities to children of workers who have suffered fatal or catastrophic workplace injuries.

Demonstrating its continued commitment to supporting injured workers and their families, Capehart Scatchard proudly served as an event sponsor, helping to raise critical funds to advance the organization’s mission.

AmeriHealth

AmeriHealth’s culture of giving back continued to grow in 2025 through deeper cross-sector partnerships focused on supporting New Jersey communities and reducing hunger. Associates prepared monthly comfort and meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey, contributing 186.5 volunteer hours, and continued support for the Central and Northern New Jersey location.

Volunteer teams also dedicated about 120 hours at the Food Bank of South Jersey and helped with food distribution and restocking at Rise Food Pantry and Arm in Arm’s Hudson Pantry. AmeriHealth also joined the Rise Thanksgiving Food Drive, donating nonperishables with a corporate match. Through its America’s Grow a Row partnership started in 2024, associates harvested crops, co-created recipe cards to help families prepare healthy, affordable meals, and in 2025 supported an after-school nutrition education program. This sustained focus on food security reflects AmeriHealth’s values of compassion and community impact.

Cooper Levenson

Cooper Levenson’s commitment to community service is rooted in the legacy of its founder, the late Jim Cooper. Cooper believed deeply that no child should ever go hungry—a belief that led him to help establish Let Us Eat, Please, a food distribution program serving thousands of local families whose children lose access to school meals during the summer. Today, that mission is carried on by COO Ken Calemmo and firm continues to honor Cooper’s vision by supporting summer food deliveries and fundraising efforts to fight food insecurity across South Jersey.

The firm also prides itself on being visible in the community in other ways, whether mentoring students, supporting local nonprofits, organizing food drives or serving on boards across the region. Every month, you’ll find attorneys and staff volunteering their time, raising funds and finding other ways to build consistent and meaningful partnerships with area organizations and causes.

Cooper Levenon’s service is ongoing, evolving and driven by the belief that when we take care our neighbors, everyone benefits.

Food Bank of South Jersey

For 40 years, the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) has provided nourishing meals and essential resources to neighborhoods across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties. In 2025, that meant distributing more than 20 million meals to approximately 189,000 neighbors every month through a network of pantries, soup kitchens, mobile distributions and community agency partners.

FBSJ’s programs serve neighbors of every age and background, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable populations: youth and seniors. Kids Thrive 365 addresses childhood hunger through the Weekend Meal Pack, School Pantry and Summer Meals programs, ensuring children have reliable access to food whether school is in session or not. For seniors on fixed incomes, the Senior Nutrition Resource Supplement provides a monthly supply of fresh groceries based on a senior’s nutritional needs.

The recently unveiled Center for Health, Wellness, and Nutrition deepens the organization’s work. From family cooking classes and cultural heritage programs to chronic disease prevention courses and youth leadership initiatives, the center is where folks come together to build healthier habits and take those skills home to their families and communities.

American Heritage Credit Union

As a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative, American Heritage Credit Union strives to provide members and the community with both the financial tools and support they need. This commitment to “people helping people” is the driving force behind every action American Heritage takes.

This year marks the 30^th anniversary for American Heritage’s nonprofit organization, the Kids-N-Hope Foundation. A major funding source for the music therapy program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Kids-N-Hope has raised more than $5.1 million and helped more than 10,000 children since its inception.

American Heritage is also proud to have numerous associate-led committees that volunteer time and donations to various causes. These include its Adopt-A-Family Committee, which raises funds to purchase gifts for numerous families in need during the holidays, and the Green Team, which holds street clean-ups and collections for shoes, coats and other items throughout the year.

The Spirit of Giving Food Drive is another effort that American Heritage puts forth annually to support the local community. Ten thousand pounds of food were collected and donated to various food pantries, alongside a monetary donation of $50,000 to various workplace partners.

Emerson Recruiting Group

Emerson Recruiting Group’s commitment to mission-driven work extends beyond the companies they serve and into the communities they proudly support. Giving back is a core part of the company’s culture. Throughout the year, the team looks for meaningful opportunities to support nonprofits and initiatives that make a difference. Most recently, employees volunteered with the Food Bank of Southern New Jersey and participated in the Polar Bear Plunge in support of the Special Olympics. These efforts reflect the same core values that guide Emerson’s work every day; positivity, loyalty, genuineness and always doing the right thing. Their community involvement isn’t a one-time initiative, but a natural extension of who they are.

Rutgers University-Camden

At Rutgers University–Camden, community engagement is central to the university’s mission and identity. Through the work of the Rutgers–Camden Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement, the university collaborates with local organizations, schools and civic leaders to strengthen opportunities for residents throughout Camden and the South Jersey region. These efforts connect faculty expertise, student learning and community priorities through service, volunteerism, partnerships and research that addresses real-world challenges.

Rutgers–Camden also invests directly in programs that support the next generation of Camden residents. Through partnerships with city leaders and community organizations, the university expanded summer learning initiatives funded with $1.4 million in federal support. These programs provide Camden youth with hands-on learning experiences, mentorship and academic support.

Mid Penn Bank

Mid Penn Bank places a strong emphasis on giving back, with employees and leadership actively involved in the communities they serve across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Through volunteerism, charitable giving and community-focused initiatives, the bank supports efforts that make a measurable and meaningful difference.

In 2025, Mid Penn employees contributed more than 14,000 hours of volunteer service to over 800 organizations. Signature efforts such as the annual No Shave November campaign continue to make a significant impact. Each year, the initiative brings together employees, community members and local organizations across the bank’s footprint to raise awareness and funds for prostate and urological cancer research and care. To date, the campaign has raised more than $1 million.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Since opening in 2018, Hard Rock Atlantic City has touched over 500 charities and organizations, providing financial support and in-kind donations along with volunteerism to help make a difference. Team members have collectively volunteered thousands of hours and play an active role in fundraising efforts for key initiatives, including Pinktober and Making Strides for the American Cancer Society, as well as Hard Rock’s ongoing Save the Planet initiatives that benefit the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

Hard Rock Atlantic City has also served as a driving force in raising awareness for mental health through its participation in the Out of the Darkness Walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, helping to raise over $1 million to date.

Alloy Silverstein

Through “Alloy Cares,” all 60-plus of Alloy Silverstein’s team members give back in numerous ways. The company organizes one group volunteer day each year, and additionally, each employee also receives five paid days to volunteer for causes that matter personally to them.

During the holiday season, Alloy Silverstein’s Adopt a Family program supports 50 to 60 families from Camden to Cape May in partnership with three nonprofit organizations. The company has supported more than 1,700 children since 2013, providing gifts, essential items and joyful holiday memories.

Alloy Silverstein also has two core fundraisers each year, taking part in the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative as well as the United Way Employee Campaign, where it pledges over $10,000 annually.

PS&S

Through its year-round program, PS&S Cares, employees across all offices come together to support meaningful causes that directly impact their local communities.

Each spring, PS&S focuses on supporting animal welfare organizations. These efforts help provide essential resources for animals in need while strengthening ties between PS&S and the communities it serves.

In the fall, PS&S shifts its focus to addressing food insecurity through local food drives. In 2025 alone, employees collected 541 donation items to support several organizations including the Food Bank of South Jersey.

During the holiday season, PS&S offices organize gift drives to brighten the lives of families and children in need. In 2025, partnerships included Embrace Kids Foundation, Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House and The Book Fairies.

Comcast

Comcast demonstrates its commitment to the communities it serves through Project UP, the company’s $1 billion initiative to expand broadband access, advance digital skills and create pathways to economic mobility.

A cornerstone of this effort is Comcast’s Lift Zones initiative. New Jersey is home to more than 30 Lift Zones—welcoming spaces in trusted community organizations that provide free, high-capacity WiFi. Lift Zone sites such as the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, Goodwill of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia LUCY Outreach help South Jersey students, jobseekers, seniors and families get online to learn, work and stay connected.

Between 2023–2025, Comcast also provided more than $10 million to 80 New Jersey-based nonprofits, including support for workforce development, digital literacy training and access to educational resources.

AAA South Jersey

AAA was founded on the mission of helping people and its AAA South Jersey Gives Back program takes this mission from the roadside to the heart of our communities. The organization, its associates and members are committed to giving back year-round through donations, collection efforts, volunteering, scholarships and more.

In 2025, AAA South Jersey Gives Back provided more than $72,000 in charitable donations, sponsorships and scholarships to organizations like the Food Bank of South Jersey and BookSmiles. This year, to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday, the organization has partnered with Veterans Multi-Service Center to donate 250 lifetime AAA memberships to local veterans—the largest in-kind donation in its history.

Signature Workspace Cherry Hill

Signature Workspace Cherry Hill was built on the idea that business thrives in community and the company is passionate about spotlighting local businesses and giving them a platform to be seen, believing that when its members and partners succeed, the entire South Jersey community benefits.

One recent example of Signature Workspace’s strategic community partnerships includes working with AARP to create safe driver courses that help individuals 50 and older learn more about modern-day safety features and drive with increased confidence. The company has also worked directly with the Animal Welfare Association for its holiday Giving Tree event, providing numerous donations for shelter pet animals.

South Jersey Industries

Through community funding, employee giving and philanthropic initiatives, South Jersey Industries (SJI) is dedicated to strengthening the regions it serves by supporting projects that align with its core values. SJI builds strong community relationships through charitable giving, local programs and dedicated volunteer work.

SJI and its subsidiaries, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas, contribute $1 million in

charitable giving and community support annually. SJI also manages the First Responders Grant Program, which provides safety training and lifesaving efforts conducted by local fire, police and EMS; and the Game On grant program, which provides support to sustain local, community-centered youth sports programs.

SJI’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) also play a vital role in enhancing engagement, building an inclusive, collaborative workplace and volunteering for various community initiatives. ERGs at SJI include The Green Team, The American Association of Blacks in Energy–South Jersey Chapter, Women’s Leadership Initiative, Emerging Leaders, The Veteran’s Engagement Team, Power of Pride and Hispanic Organization for Latino Achievement. Last year, employees completed over 3,000 volunteer hours.

M&T Bank

M&T Bank is deeply committed to strengthening the nonprofit community across South Jersey by investing time, resources and leadership in organizations that make a tangible difference for local families and neighborhoods. Through financial support, volunteer engagement and long-term partnerships, M&T works alongside nonprofits to address food insecurity, expand access to education and create pathways to economic opportunity.

In 2025, M&T proudly supported a range of impactful organizations, including the Food Bank of South Jersey, Camden Community Partnership, LUCY Outreach, Cathedral Soup Kitchen, Community Partnership Schools and Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey. These partnerships reflect the bank’s belief that thriving communities are built through collaboration and sustained commitment.

Under the leadership of Denise Monahan, M&T’s new regional president for Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, and Shannon Lazare, New Jersey regional president, M&T continues to deepen its local engagement throughout the state. It’s approach is rooted in relationship-building and a shared goal of helping South Jersey communities grow stronger today and for generations to come.

South Jersey Port Corporation

South Jersey Port Corporation is deeply committed to giving back to the communities it calls home, with a strong focus on outreach, education and service. Whether it’s working with local students, supporting families or partnering with community organizations, the port strives to make a positive and lasting impact across the region—especially in the communities of Camden, Paulsboro and Salem that host our facilities.

“At South Jersey Ports, we recognize that our success is tied directly to the success of our host communities,” says Executive Director and CEO David Mayer. “That understanding guides everything we do—from creating local job opportunities to investing in programs that support and strengthen our neighborhoods.”

A key focus is workforce development and youth engagement. The team regularly hosts student tours, career days and hands-on experiences that introduce young people to maritime careers.

South Jersey Ports also supports its neighbors through toy drives, partnerships that provide comfort items to seafarers, environmental initiatives like tree plantings and collaboration with local first responders—helping build stronger communities together.

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Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 16, Issue 4 (April 2026).

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