Partying with Purpose at Food Bank's Gotham Ball

Food Bank For New York City’s 2nd annual 5-Borough Challenge is in full swing! From now until December 31, New Yorkers from Staten Island up to the Bronx are encouraged to take to social media to challenge their friends, family, and followers to donate to Food Bank in support of our mission to feed ALL New Yorkers. To learn more about the campaign, we spoke to Janis Robinson, VP of Institutions and Partnerships at Food Bank (pictured below). She provided insight into the origin of the challenge and why its message of unity and hometown pride is so timely in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What inspired the creation of the 5-Borough Challenge? We know that New Yorkers love a good competition, especially one between the boroughs. So, this was really an opportunity to tap into that energy in service of a great cause. Plus, we have fantastic relationships with NYC-based celebrities and influencers across the five boroughs who are always down to raise support and awareness for our neighbors in need. What is the goal of the 5-Borough Challenge? The goal for each borough is to raise $20,000, which will then be fully matched by our longtime partner and friend Bank of America for a grand total of $200,000. These critical funds will help us reach our overall goal of providing 20 million meals to New Yorkers in need this holiday season. While the financial goal is certainly important, it’s not the only goal of this campaign. We want to ignite energy among the boroughs, get folks excited about fighting hunger for ALL New Yorkers. It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you live in – you can walk outside your door right now and see that there is still such a need for food in NYC. Taking a moment to think about that during the holidays is crucial. Why is it so important for New Yorkers to come together now in this way? When you look around NYC, you can feel the impacts of COVID-19 everywhere. So many of our office buildings are still empty. There are foreclosures happening, people still losing their jobs. And yet, these very same people still need to pay rent and utilities. So many of our neighbors still need support to get food on the table for themselves and their families. What makes the 5-Borough Challenge unique? In a place like NYC, in these boroughs, there’s so much density, so much in the way of people. Harnessing the power of those people, of those New Yorkers, is really what this challenge is all about, and what makes it so unique. There’s nowhere else in the world with a borough system like ours, and we take an immense amount of pride in that. One thing that we've seen time and time again at Food Bank is how New Yorkers always come together to support their own. It’s a truly powerful thing. How can people extend their giving beyond the holiday season? We want people to understand that hunger doesn’t just exist during the holiday season. It’s not a Thanksgiving event or a Christmas event... it’s year-round. There are so many opportunities to provide support throughout the year. Visit our website and look at all of the different programs we have going on. See how you can support our Mobile Pantry Program. Figure out when a pop-up food distribution is happening in your neighborhood. Stay connected to the Food Bank For New York City and we will always make sure to let you know how you can help. Ready to get involved? Head on over to our 5-Borough Challenge hub, where you can donate directly to the campaign and find social media assets to drum up excitement on your channels. And make sure to follow all the #5BoroughChallenge fun on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

In honor of Harlem Week, Food Bank hosted a special BBQ for our neighbors outside of our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in West Harlem. The sunny day was full of music, good food, face painting, raffles, and more! Food Bank's Culinary Manager Chef Sheri whipped up a feast of BBQ favorites. "This is something that's been coming together little by little over the years," explained Sultana Ocasio, the Director of Food Bank's Community Kitchen & Food Pantry. "We wanted to do something around Harlem Week to highlight our presence in the neighborhood and celebrate the fact that we've been serving our neighbors here since the 1980s." "And so we thought, 'Hey, let's have a family BBQ!'" she continued. "The smell of the grill, the music pumping from the speakers... we wanted to draw people in and create a space where we could all hang out and be together." Sultana Ocasio working the food line alongside Food Bank President & CEO Leslie Gordon. It didn't take long for community members to find our BBQ. Tunes from DJ Jay Thursday and the smoky fragrance of Food Bank Culinary Manager Chef Sheri's roast chicken, grilled corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more drew in a vibrant crowd of folks from all over the neighborhood, who not only got to enjoy a delicious free lunch, but face painting activities, a fresh produce stand, and hourly raffles. "It's great that we could all be here to enjoy this beautiful summer day together," said community member Lorna, who lives two blocks down from Food Bank's Community Kitchen & Food Pantry. "When times are tough, it's important for us to lean on one another and help out when we can." Lorna stopped by the BBQ on her way home from church in the neighborhood. The BBQ was supported by Food Bank staff and volunteers, many of whom came out to spread a little love as food, gas, and rent prices are driving more and more New Yorkers to the pantry line. Ell, a local eighth grader volunteering with their mom, handed out fresh vegetables to folks throughout the day. "I just love helping other people," said Ell. "It's great that we can be here today to not only give out free produce, but to bring a little joy and happiness to our neighbors. It feels great to be here with everyone today." Ell in action staffing our fresh produce stand with other Food Bank volunteers. To learn more about Food Bank's efforts to support our local community here in West Harlem, visit foodbanknyc.org. You can also sign up for a volunteer shift in our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry by clicking this link. Scroll below for more photos from our Community BBQ! Our volunteer face painter kept busy with all the youngsters visiting her table! Melanie Zuniga (Food Bank's Community Dietician) handed out tasty smoothies and helpful nutrition information at our produce stand. "Today, I just want to play music that makes people feel good and dance," explained DJ Jay Thursday. Community members (and their furry friends!) filled the block throughout the afternoon.

On Sunday, June 25, Food Bank For New York City marched in the annual New York City Pride Parade with a powerful contingent of volunteers, supporters, donors, and staff. Our theme for this year’s Pride Month campaign was “Food is a Powerful Ally,” reflecting how we strive to uplift those in need through food. Food Bank For New York City gears up to march in the 2023 Pride Parade with a themed banner. Parade participants handed out branded giveaway items to excited onlookers, including fans, lip balms, trail mix, and colorful sunglasses. They were met with contagious smiles as they marched onward. Ty Milburn, Director of Influencer Marketing at Food Bank, felt grateful to witness and contribute to the event’s meaningful emotional impact. “This was my first time walking in a Pride event and the experience was amazing,” Milburn said. “For me, the big takeaway was that this was an event where everyone wanted to spread love. It's a great day any time you can tell someone, ‘We see you and we love you just the way you are.’” Food Bank Director of Influencer Marketing Ty Milburn smiles at the camera during the march. We were joined by dozens of representatives from Food Bank member agencies that serve LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, including Make the Road NY, Safe Horizon, and GMHC. Giaura Fenris, TGNCIQ+ Health Advocate with Make The Road NY, was excited to march with Food Bank: It was an honor to be in person to represent the collaboration between Food Bank and Make the Road NY in the campaign 'Food is a Powerful Ally' that TGNCIQ+ members of Make the Road NY got to participate in through photography and videos. It was beautiful to carry the fans in the March that had images of our community members and the message of providing food to our most vulnerable and marginalized communities. Walking in the March felt exhilarating, expansive, a good workout, and a high like no other. Sharing the resources and engaging the crowd was such a rush of energy and it felt like our message was heard. Other organization representatives were compelled and inspired to join Food Bank during the Pride March, including Carrington Baker, CEO and Founder of For Women by Women, Period. “[Everyone] was happy to be marching with Food Bank, grateful and appreciative of our support,” Milburn said. “We in turn were thrilled to be with them, affirming them with our allyship.” Representatives from For Women By Women, Period marched alongside Food Bank in the parade. In advance of the parade, Food Bank spent the month fundraising as part of the annual Pride Month Campaign. As a result, Food Bank raised nearly 19,000 meals for our neighbors in need. Food Bank Government Relations summer intern Kailey Costa passes out branded fans to parade onlookers. For more information on how we serve one in five LGBTQ+ New Yorkers facing food insecurity, visit this page. Also, consider making a donation today so we can continue to support our LGBTQ+ neighbors beyond Pride Month. Participants joyfully march with the banner and balloons spelling "FEED ALL" through Stonewall Place. For more scenes from the march, check out our photo gallery. All photos provided by Kreg Holt.