Janet Shapiro

Janet Shapiro understands the long-lasting implications hunger can have on physical, emotional, and social well-being. This knowledge influences her decision to include the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) as a beneficiary in her estate plan.

“Without health, you don’t have anything. And without nutritious food, you don’t have health. That’s why the FoodBank is so important,” Janet explains.

Carrying on the tradition of her philanthropically inclined parents, Janet enjoys donating to charities to which she feels connected and causes aligned with her parents’ interests. Primarily, she focuses her giving on fixing problems she sees in society.

“Repairing the world when there are so many broken parts of it makes my life feel worthwhile. It’s what keeps me going… If I can do that and give someone who is less fortunate than I am a little bit of health, then I’m good,” Janet says.

Besides helping those in need throughout the state, Janet’s planned gift has an added personal benefit. She also builds her legacy of fighting hunger in NJ via a charitable gift annuity (CGA). With a CGA, a donor agrees to make a gift to CFBNJ; in return, CFBNJ pays the donor (or donor’s beneficiary) a fixed amount each year for the rest of his or her life. The balance supports our work. Through her CGA, Janet receives regular payments and potentially qualifies for a variety of tax benefits—including a federal income tax charitable deduction—while ensuring that hungry New Jerseyans continue to receive the help they need.

Although she notes the problems that our hungry neighbors face may not be eliminated in her lifetime, she is glad to know that her efforts to make the world a better place will have an impact even after she is gone.