---

Jersey Mike’s Subs, known across the globe for their authentic and freshly made sliced and grilled subs, has pledged $500K in support of Interfaith Neighbors, an Asbury Park-based nonprofit that works to assist the less fortunate among us meet life’s basic necessities.

“Our mission has always been focused on making a difference in people’s lives,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO.

Cancro, who bought the flagship sub shop at age 17, credits two local businessmen from his Point Pleasant Beach hometown for instilling the importance of unconditionally giving back to the community. They were Jack Baker of Baker’s Lobster Shanty and Bob Hoffman of Hoffman’s Ice Cream.

Today, Jersey Mike’s continues to grow its charitable endeavors in the over 1,700 communities that house Jersey Mike’s franchises. Since 2010, Jersey Mike’s locations across the nation have raised more than $31 million for worthy local charities and have distributed over 2 million free subs in support of numerous causes.

“I believe in Interfaith Neighbors and its leadership,” Cancro said. “The magnitude of this gift will hopefully inspire others to understand the breadth of work being done by Interfaith Neighbors and join with Jersey
Mike’s in continuing to enable them to do the incredibly impactful, but costly, work they do throughout the year.” 

Interfaith Neighbors Founder Joe Marmora said Jersey Mike’s half-million-dollar pledge is the largest single private donation in the nonprofit’s 31-year history.

“This fortifies the programs that we are presently operating and helps us to expand,” said Marmora, who retired last year but continues to serve as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees and Executive Director Emeritus.

Founded in 1988, Interfaith Neighbors [IFN] helps over 320 families avoid homelessness each year through its rental and mortgage assistance program and serves 1,100 meals daily, with the help of 125 volunteers, to homebound seniors and residents residing in Monmouth County.

IFN’s comprehensive southwest Asbury Park Neighborhood Revitalization program includes the construction of 55 affordable homes, workforce and economic development initiatives, as well as nutritional, educational and other support programs that are done in collaboration with many community partners.

Marmora, who continues to be involved with IFN’s rental and mortgage assistance program, said he was introduced to Cancro over 20 years ago by retired NJ Natural Gas Senior VP Tom Kononowitz, who sits on IFN’s Advisory Board. Cancro and his Jersey Mike’s team have been supporters ever since. In 2013, Interfaith Neighbors honored Cancro’s support for local communities at its 25th Anniversary Gala.

“Peter Cancro and his entire Team at Jersey Mike’s epitomize what it means to be a good corporate citizen wholly committed to the communities that they serve,” Interfaith Neighbors Executive Director Paul McEvily said.

“Millions of people all across the country have come to love and admire Jersey Mike’s for their menu but perhaps more importantly for their commitment, diligence and passion for helping others. On behalf of
the thousands of people we have assisted throughout Monmouth County over the years, we say thank you from the very bottom of our hearts.”

McEvily said the $500,000 will be used to support existing programs designed to help those less fortunate among us while also earmarking some of the money for the Joseph J Marmora Rental & Mortgage Assistance Endowment; created by the Board of Trustees in recognition of the founder’s 2018 retirement.

“This gift will allow us to increase the essential assistance we provide to families facing eviction while also expanding scholarship opportunities for our area youth; such as our recently launched SOAR career preparation and placement program,” McEvily said.

For more information about Jersey Mike’s, visit jerseymikes.com; and for more about Interfaith Neighbors, visit interfaithneighbors.org.

——————————————————————-

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---