Carmen Perez

“You have to have heart, and you have to have passion.”

Carmen Perez is a person of faith, compassion, strength, resilience, and most of all, hope. In point of fact, she is the backbone of Hope Mobiles -- mobile food distributions that bring thousands of pounds of nutritious, shelf-stable, and fresh foods and beverages to food-vulnerable communities. For more than fifteen years, Carmen has been an invaluable team member of the Food Bank of South Jersey, South Jersey's largest hunger-relief organization and a member of the Feeding America network. She makes sure distributions are fully stocked and smartly organized, so that thousands of items are distributed to hundreds of people in mere minutes. With meticulous care to detail, and an intense commitment to exceeding expectations, Carmen ensures that Hope Mobiles are a vital food resource to sustain healthy eating in households which include individuals, families and seniors, from Pennsauken to Swedesboro, Willingboro to Glassboro, and Burlington City to Lindenwold.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Carmen and her team have worked especially hard –working long shifts to distribute millions of pounds of food. Carmen and her food bank colleagues make the difference for almost 100,000 people per month, between crushing hunger and sustainable wellness, and between desolation and hope.

who are your local heroes?

“Anyone who takes the time to go out of their way to help anyone. Any man, woman or child who cares enough to make the day better for someone in need. We are all human beings. We are all in this together.”

What does leadership mean to you?

“Leadership means being there for your community - caring for others.”

Biography:

Carmen Perez is a person of compassion, strength, resilience and care. With more than 15 years of service to the Food Bank of South Jersey, South Jersey's largest hunger-relief organization and a member of the Feeding America network of national food banks, Carmen plays a vital role in the distribution of millions of pounds of food every year to food-insecure communities throughout South Jersey. During the COVID-19 crisis in South Jersey, Carmen worked tirelessly with her team and Food Bank colleagues to distribute more than 7.6 million pounds of food - feeding more than 94,500 people per month - between March and June 2020. She is tireless, fierce and fearless. Carmen is a voice of sustainability and wellness to thousands at food distributions. A person of faith, family and hope, Carmen is a true leader in the Food Bank family - feeding South Jersey day in, and day out. Find out more about the Food Bank of South Jersey at www.foodbanksj.org.