Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association Raises Funds for Foundation, Food Bank While Honoring Jim Allen
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City. Photo by Meredith Winner, Mer-Made Photography.
AC JosepH Media
ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Metropolitan Business and Citizens Association, or MBCA, raised more than $500,000 for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and the association’s foundation at the MBCA’s 35th annual Installation & Awards on Friday, Oct. 23, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, was named recipient of the 2026 Community Spirit Award in recognition of his longstanding commitment to the Atlantic City community.
The MBCA said in a statement that Allen, a South Jersey native, has had an “extraordinary career and unwavering commitment to Atlantic City have played an instrumental role in the city’s evolution.”
Allen started his career in Atlantic City to becoming a recognized global business leader, Allen’s career spans nearly five decades across the gaming, entertainment, and hospitality industries.
The event will benefit the MBCA Foundation’s Beautify AC campaign, supporting its mission to make Atlantic City a better place to live, work, and visit through park installations, beautification projects, and scholarships.
The event also raised $200,000 to benefit the CFBNJ and provide food for neighbors facing hunger in Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties. CFBNJ is the state’s largest anti-hunger, anti-poverty organization, providing food to more than 800 local food assistance organizations across 15 counties and connecting neighbors with resources to support long-term stability.
In addition to the $200,000 raised for the CFBNJ, Jim Allen and his wife Shelly personally contributed $100,000 to support CFBNJ’s efforts to fight hunger in the region. The combined total of $300,000 marks the largest single-event donation in the Community Foodbank of South Jersey.
“The Community FoodBank of New Jersey makes a positive impact on thousands of families who struggle with food insecurity in our region, and we are honored to help them continue their important work,” said Allen in a statement.
“I grew up in New Jersey, and we are proud to be a part of this community. We are grateful to have this opportunity to give back to an organization who continue to help provide essential resources to our neighbors.”
Hard Rock officials said that embodies Hard Rock’s mission to “Love All, Serve All” through his dedication to giving back and making a meaningful impact on the community he calls home.
“We are honored to host such an impactful evening and raise funds for our community,” said George Goldhoff, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. “Philanthropy is at the heart of what we do, and Jim Allen is such an incredible representation of our core values.”
MBCA is an all-inclusive organization that works for the betterment of local neighborhoods and strives to be a constructive force to the society by working with and supporting other nonprofit groups, supporting civic events and awarding scholarships to local individuals.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City features an award-winning gaming floor that offers 2,425 slots, 130 table games, and a dedicated Sportsbook.
Boasting more than 15 food and beverage offerings, guests are able to enjoy fine dining at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Kuro, and Il Mulino, to casual fare at Hard Rock Cafe, YOUYU Noodle Bar, Sugar Factory and Fresh Harvest Buffet.
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. You can reach Editor Clyde Hughes at chughes@acjosephmedia.com. Thank you for reading!
About Author
