A Magical Night at the Museum
On March 29, Food Bank For New York City hosted a 40th anniversary bash at the Museum of the City of New York. A joyous mix of donors, volunteers, board members, junior...
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A Magical Night at the Museum
On March 29, Food Bank For New York City hosted a 40th anniversary bash at the Museum of the City of New York. A joyous mix of donors, volunteers, board members, junior...
On March 29, Food Bank For New York City hosted a 40th anniversary bash at the Museum of the City of New York. A joyous mix of donors, volunteers, board members, junior board members, corporate partners, Food Bankers, and even the Mayor of NYC himself Eric Adams stopped by to celebrate the milestone, enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and lively chatter as they explored the museum and its “Food in New York: Bigger than the Plate” exhibit. "It is an honor to be here with all of you to celebrate 40 years of serving the city we all love,” exclaimed Food Bank President & CEO Leslie Gordon in her welcoming remarks. “I am proud and humbled to be with you tonight.” Leslie speaking with reporters after delivering her welcoming remarks. Photo by Jared Siskin. As guests delighted in flavorful bites from the Eat Offbeat catering team and tunes from DJ Kristaval, many reflected on the history of Food Bank and their connection to its work. “I’m just thrilled to be here,” shared Michelle Kamen, a supporter who has been giving to Food Bank for three years. “It’s amazing to be part of an organization like this that does so much good for others.” When asked what keeps her excited about being part of the Food Bank family, Michelle’s answer was simple: the mission. “I recently got to go to a Food Bank Mobile Pantry distribution in East Harlem and it was wonderful getting to connect with the people we serve,” she explained. “Everyone was so happy to see us there giving out food and I was so happy to be some small part of the work.” Guests gather in the foyer before exploring exclusive access to exhibits on the first and second floors. Photo by Jared Siskin. Jennifer Brogan, the Director of External Communications & Community Relations at Stop & Shop, shared a similar sentiment, talking about the impact that Food Bank and Stop & Shop have been able to make together over the years. “Stop & Shop has been a longtime partner of Food Bank, giving both food that is unsold from our stores as well as monetary support. What keeps us connected to the mission is the simple fact that the need for food across the five boroughs is so high.” “We operate grocery stores all over the city, and we see firsthand just how real the problem is,” she continued. “But when we partner with Food Bank, we get to help bring fresh produce and other goods into food deserts, into the neighborhoods that need us most. It’s an incredibly rewarding partnership because we know we’re making a real difference.” Food Bank Board Member Lary Stromfeld (right) chatting with one of our newest Food Bank Board Members, Ted Segal. Photo by Jared Siskin. But the night wasn’t all small talk and champagne – it also included a surprise visit from Mayor Eric Adams who presented a special proclamation to Food Bank in honor of its 40th anniversary. Mayor Eric Adams speaking about Food Bank For New York City. Photo by Jared Siskin. “The conversation about food is something that is extremely dear to me,” said Mayor Adams. “And what I love about Food Bank is that you all have continued to evolve over the years to fill in the gaps for our neighbors.” “During COVID, I saw you all on the frontlines bringing food to pantries,” he continued. “You have to dig deep during times of crisis, and that’s exactly what you all did. Do you know how many families would not have been able to meet their basic needs if they didn’t have you? Thank you for all that you do.” After his remarks, Mayor Adams revealed the proclamation, officially naming March 29 “Food Bank For New York City” day. It was an honor to share the stage with the mayor of our great city, and we look forward to continuing to work with him and his team to fight food insecurity for all New Yorkers. Leslie receiving the proclamation from Mayor Adams on behalf of Food Bank For New York City. Photo by Jared Siskin. As the night wore on and the music continued to play, screens throughout the space showed a livestream of the Empire State Building, which had been lit up with Food Bank’s signature oranges and blues in honor of the occasion. A fitting end to a night all about celebrating 40 years of Food Bank serving the greatest city in the world. A special thanks to the Museum of the City of New York for hosting us and to Great Performances for catering the event with their “Eat Offbeat” team, which is made up of refugee and immigrant chefs on a mission to show how much better life can be when we add new flavors to the food we eat. Thank you again to all of our attendees and to the staff behind the scenes who made this a night we won't soon forget. And please, enjoy more event photos below! Photo by Jared Siskin. Photo by Jared Siskin.Photo by Jared Siskin.Photo by Jared Siskin. Photo by Jared Siskin. Photo by Jared Siskin. -
Food Insecurity |
Finding Hope at the Girls Club
Food Bank For New York City launched Woman to Woman in 2016 with chef, author, and Food Bank Board Member Katie Lee Biegel. The award-winning campaign raises critical...
Food Bank For New York City launched Woman to Woman in 2016 with chef, author, and Food Bank Board Member Katie Lee Biegel. The award-winning campaign raises critical funds to assemble and distribute hygiene kits packed with pads, tampons, panty liners, diapers, deodorant, and soap to women and girls facing poverty in New York City. But what do these New Yorkers look like? Well, for 2023, we wanted to put a face to the initiative by featuring some of these women and girls in a public awareness campaign that will run online and across the streets of NYC from now until April 30. One of the participants, Felicia, visited set with her daughter, and the dynamic duo lit up the room with their enthusiasm, warmth, and zest for life. We spoke with Felicia to learn more about her story and how finding her way to the Lower Eastside Girls Club (a Food Bank member agency serving girls in downtown Manhattan) was a saving grace for her and her daughter. Read the full interview below! Felicia (left) and her daughter in one of our Woman to Woman ads. So, to start, are you a native New Yorker? I was actually born in Charleston, South Carolina to two wonderful parents. I come from a family that served in the Military on my father’s side and, on my mother’s side, I come from a line of great cooks, seamstresses, and builders. I moved to New York City with my mom when I was five. She was a single mother then and we moved into Brooklyn. I hear you’re connected to the Lower Eastside Girls Club... how long have you been going there? I’ve been married twice, and we got to know the Girls Club when my daughter and I were living in a shelter three years ago. I asked God to send a mentor to help my daughter through this really tough time separating from her father, I was going through so many different emotions. And little did I know that there was a safe haven right around the corner from us... the Girls Club. Finding the Girls Club helped my daughter get her self-esteem back. She found love with the women there, the mentors and friends she found there, who provided her with information and resources. I wanted to say goodbye to the world at the time, but the Girls Club gave me and my daughter hope. She made friends and had her mind and spirit exposed to all different sorts of activities. My daughter is an artist by nature, so she loves all of the art classes she can take. The Girls Club is just one of the best things that has ever happened to us Felicia (left) and her daughter at our Woman to Woman shoot. What made you want to join our Woman to Woman photo shoot? Personal hygiene is all about self-love and respect. As a woman, it’s very important. I remember when I was young... I was living with my aunt and her three daughters who were all around the same age. Believe you me, we did not always have access to period products in our home. Sometimes we had to use toilet paper, and if we didn’t have that, we used a cloth. It was debilitating and embarrassing. When you don’t have these products, you can’t go to school or even go outside. You just keep it quiet as can be. Throughout my life, when I haven’t been able to afford these products, it’s been humiliating and devastating. And so one of the things I love about the Girls Club is that when I went into their bathroom for the first time, I saw all the products there – the tampons, the cute little packages you could put in your purse. This is how you show love, care, and awareness. Some girls may not have this in their house because the items are so expensive! Astronomically expensive! I’m a home health attendant and I have to go buy diapers and pads for my clients and I’m like, whoa! Who can afford these things? I remember growing up, I would usually get my tampons at school and not from home because my mom didn’t have the money or she would forget. It’s important to have these things in public spaces because people need them, and so they should be available. In 2023, we should not be embarrassed about this anymore. What hopes do you have for your daughter? My hope is that she really loves herself. Self-love, self-awareness is so important. I want the best for all of my kids and I’m behind them, no matter what they want to be. If you want to be a dancer, a designer, an artist, be the best that you can be. I worry that I don’t always have enough money or time to help push my daughter, but that’s why I rely on groups and programming to help fill in the gaps. I hope that she will be confident to fulfill her goals and know that her mother and her sister are behind her 100 percent. I want her to wake up and enjoy every day with peace and solitude and community around her. A huge thanks to Felicia for speaking with us and to all the women who joined us at our photo shoot! For more on our Woman to Woman campaign (and to see how YOU can help us provide thousands of hygiene kits to our neighbors across the five boroughs) click this link. -
Filling Plates & Hearts with Ms. Peggy Allen
Antioch Outreach is a Food Bank member agency that has been serving the Harlem community since 2008. The program was started by Ms. Peggy Allen, a Louisiana native who’s...
Antioch Outreach is a Food Bank member agency that has been serving the Harlem community since 2008. The program was started by Ms. Peggy Allen, a Louisiana native who’s been living in New York City for the better part of her life. It had been a dream of hers to start a pantry once she retired, an idea sparked by watching her single mother feed and take care of herself and her ten siblings. As Ms. Peggy is fond of saying, “You have to eat to stay alive!” We got the chance to catch up with Ms. Peggy earlier this month to learn all about how she fills plates and hearts for her community. Read the interview below. Ms. Peggy with members of the community. How did your agency get started? I retired in 2008 and decided to look into what it would require to open up a food pantry for my community. It had always been my desire to do something like that, but I couldn’t get involved until I finished my job. I have been a member of this church [Antioch Church of God in Christ] since 1961, so I have had a connection to this building and ministry for decades; now, I get to give back through a pantry of my own. To learn the ropes, I served as a volunteer at a food pantry down the road. I visited one day and stayed for two years. The team lead would tell me, “Oh, do this, don’t do that... “ she really taught me everything I know about running a pantry. What inspired you to start serving your community? I was born in Mississippi and raised in New Orleans by a single mother. There were 11 of us, so times were definitely hard. I can’t say that we went to bed hungry, but I also can’t say that we had bacon and eggs every day. What I can say is that my mother kept us together when she could have separated us. Whatever I am, you see her now. What I learned from my mother is that you are never so poor that you can’t help somebody else, even if it’s someone in your own family. That purpose was put in me early, so I have always had a desire to have this kind of ministry. I don’t have to be behind the pulpit, but I know I have to help others. It was put in my spirit – this is the way for me to go. The highlight of our week growing up was when my mom would go to the bakery and get bread and honey buns for the family. We were always so excited to get this small treat. That’s how I serve people, why I want to serve people. I want to give them a highlight of their own. The line outside of Antioch Outreach on their weekly pantry service day, where they’ll serve upwards of 300 New Yorkers. How has your pantry grown since you first started? When I first started, my goal was to feed 50 people a week. At the beginning, we were only able to serve onions and potatoes. I thought, “If I can just reach 50 people, I’ll be happy.” We quickly blew past that goal and, before COVID, we were serving nearly 500 people a week. Since we reopened last February, I’d say we’re serving an average of 300 people a week. Since reopening, our demographic has changed. We’ve seen an influx of immigrant communities visiting our pantry, which was challenging at first in terms of communication. But we’ve started to bring in translators to help us communicate better with all the different types of New Yorkers on our line. What are some of your community needs? It’s a very low-income community. They need basics – clothing, food. I’m known as “begging Peggy” because I’m always working to see how I can get my neighbors what they need. And what they need is everything. I remember once when a volunteer of ours saw a man on the subway with a walker that had three wheels when it should have had four. She told this man to follow her to the church and we would get him a walker. When that man eventually left, it was worth whatever we went through – all of the sacrifices – to get that walker for him. I encourage people to ask me for what they need. If I don’t have it, I’ll try to get it. I just try to show an interest in every person that comes through our door. A person can come to us for food and I can see that they need new shoes, even if they won’t admit it. So, instead of asking them if they want shoes, I simply ask, “What size shoe do you wear?” Nobody wants to be looked down upon, so I ask about the size, and the next time they come in, I’ll have the shoes ready for them. If you can show people you care like that – if the spirit of your giving comes from a place of genuine interest in their well-being – you've got them, you’ve captivated them. You build trust by the way you treat people, by the kindness you show. Very few people can reject kindness. A guy came in once who was just out of jail. He was acting ashamed, so I said, “But you’re out! Now, tell me, what do you need?” If you are in this business, be in it. For me, it’s all about helping someone feel better about themselves. At Food Bank, we are proud to provide food and other resources to organizations like Antioch Outreach that are doing the work to feed our neighbors every day. To learn more about how YOU can help bring a plate to the table for New Yorkers like Ms. Peggy and her team, click here. Together, we can make sure that all of our neighbors have what they need to celebrate the holidays with the dignity they deserve. -
Bring a Plate to the Table
This year, Food Bank’s holiday campaign is “Bring a Plate to the Table.” For us, this phrase encapsulates everything we're about – making sure our neighbors have what...
This year, Food Bank’s holiday campaign is “Bring a Plate to the Table.” For us, this phrase encapsulates everything we're about – making sure our neighbors have what they need to fill their tables with fresh, nutritious food for themselves and their families. While this is our mission all year long, it takes on new relevance during the holiday season, when an empty plate or missed meal can feel that much more isolating for those already struggling to make ends meet. Think of the holiday dishes you love, the ones you make every year, the ones passed down over generations that become symbols of who you are and where you come from. Think of the memories connected to those dishes, how a single bite of pecan pie can bring you back to the first time you watched your grandmother make it in the family kitchen. How even in the years after she’s gone – when you are the one making the pie – that bite will remind you of how fiercely you were loved. There is no price for a feeling like that and it is one that everyone deserves. Our tables aren’t just places where we eat meals; they are where we make our memories, where we come to laugh and cry and make sense of the world around us. The power of that is easy to take for granted when you’ve never gone without it, but one that is impossible not to miss when it vanishes in the blink of an eye. “Bring a Plate to the Table,” then, is a call to you to help us restore that power for the estimated 1.6 million New Yorkers fighting to feed themselves and their families. It is a call to join us in nourishing that great communal table at which we all sit. As our President & CEO Leslie Gordon is fond of saying, “Rising tides float all boats.” The livelihood of one of us depends on all of us, and it is vital that we never lose sight of that. So, how can you bring a plate to the table for our neighbors this holiday season? You can donate to our 40 Million Meals campaign, which seeks to provide 40 million meals to New Yorkers in need by year’s end. You can sign up for a volunteer shift in our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry, where you’ll help stock pantry shelves and pack meal bags for our neighbors in Harlem. You can also use your voice to urge lawmakers to advocate for policies that fight hunger across our city and state. Simply put, there are several ways to give back – all you have to do is choose the one that’s right for you. We thank you in advance for powering our mission to feed and nourish ALL New Yorkers. We couldn’t do what we do without you. -
Inside the Mission: Portraits of Promise
"Portraits of Promise" is a new initiative at Food Bank For New York City, and one powered by a simple premise: On special occasions throughout the year, Food Bank will...
"Portraits of Promise" is a new initiative at Food Bank For New York City, and one powered by a simple premise: On special occasions throughout the year, Food Bank will provide professional portraits to our neighbors as a keepsake they can cherish for years and generations to come. Professional photography can be prohibitively expensive for many of the New Yorkers we serve, so this is a way for us to "go beyond food" in our service to the city we all call home. To learn more about the program, I sat down with Dr. Camesha Grant, Food Bank's Vice President of Community Impact & Investment, who came up with the idea for "Portraits of Promise" when ordering school portraits for her 11-year-old daughter. "It was the beginning of the school year and my daughter was taking photos," she explained. "I was completing the package to order the pictures and I saw that several of the different photo packages and products were well over $100. Suddenly it hit me — how do people who are food insecure get professional photos of themselves and their families? Between food and photos, many people will choose food, so they're not able to preserve these amazing memories of their loved ones. I immediately thought, we have to do something about this." Read the full interview with Dr. Grant below! Martha Mae, a regular of Food Bank's Senior Program who visited our Valentine's Day shoot. What is the power of a portrait? It's the power to preserve precious moments, to have a keepsake you can pass down to your children and your children's children. The cost of living in New York City forces many of the families we serve to move across the five boroughs to different homes, so having a steady family portrait to hang on any wall in any home is priceless. It's a constant reminder of who our neighbors are and where they come from, something that immediately represents home and love. It's a simple thing to carry with you across the journey of life. What would you say to someone if they ask why a hunger-relief organization like ours is providing this service? Everyone deserves the opportunity to preserve memories — everyone, regardless of their housing or financial status. They should have the opportunity to capture moments of love and fun through photography, to have those images to look back on when times get tough. At Food Bank, we endeavor to serve the whole individual, to nourish their bodies, their minds, and their spirits. With more and more New Yorkers being forced to the pantry line each day, we don’t always get the opportunity to know every person who visits our Community Kitchen, to hear their stories. But when people come in and get behind the camera for a “Portraits of Promise” session, we get to see our neighbors come to life. We get to know them, get to see them, get to reaffirm that we are here for them. These are everyday New Yorkers. In so many ways, this initiative is about breaking down the stigmas of who we serve. They’re people just like you and me with personalities, emotions, stories, and journeys to share. Gregory wearing his signature bow tie and suit at our Valentine's Day shoot. Are there any stories or moments from this project that stick out to you? There was one woman named Harlem at our Valentine’s Day shoot. She was standing on line waiting for supper when I approached her and asked if she'd like to take a photograph. She was so excited to join us! She came inside and suddenly transformed, taking the opportunity to look good and feel good. She got behind the camera and presented like a model, so gracious and fun to work with. And of course, Gregory, one of our regular senior visitors to the Community Kitchen & Food Pantry. Gregory has always been very dapper, loves coming in with a bowtie and suit. To learn that this was the first photograph he'd had taken of himself since 1972 was such a surprise and one that reminded me of how important this program is. How do you see this initiative growing? I think there are a ton of different ways "Portraits of Promise" could grow! This past August, we partnered with an organization that teaches children living in shelters how to swim. We provided packed lunches for the kids and also took portraits of them learning how to swim for their families. It was a way for us to take this program out of the studio and into the streets, allowing us to capture those precious milestone moments for the New Yorkers we proudly serve. To learn more about "Portraits of Promise," click this link, where you'll find stories from New Yorkers we've profiled and updates about when the next shoot will be happening! -
Meeting the Needs of our Migrant Neighbors
Over the past few months, thousands of migrants have been bussed to New York City from the states of Texas and Arizona. Our friends at United Way of New York City...
Over the past few months, thousands of migrants have been bussed to New York City from the states of Texas and Arizona. Our friends at United Way of New York City estimate that nearly 19,000 migrants have arrived, 75 percent of whom have entered the city’s shelter system. These numbers are only expected to grow over the coming months, posing our city with the ultimate question: How do we rise up to serve and protect our new neighbors? For community members like Teresa Concepcion (founder of “The Red Door Place,” a Food Bank member pantry in Manhattan), the answer to that question has been developing itself in real time. “A month ago, I was put in contact with a shelter in Brooklyn that was drowning,” she recently told us. “They had begun to house 200 new arrivals, including 12 large families, many of whom had family members that were ill and needed assistance, including a set of twins on dialysis and chemo. In a matter of moments, we struck up an agreement and I began sending them what non-perishable food items and resources I had.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Red Door Place (@thereddoorplace) Teresa (above) was quick to point out that this is a Women and Children’s shelter, which means that fathers are not permitted to stay with their families. When asked where they would have to go instead, she explained that many would turn to the streets, in yet another form of separation for those that have already been through so much. How does she know this? Because word has spread fast that The Red Door Place is a safe space to receive food and these fathers have been visiting her weekly food distributions. “They are always very cautious when they first approach us,” she says. “They usually come in small groups and ask what kind of paperwork they need to visit the pantry. It takes a while to explain that they don’t need paperwork, that they can get the food they need for free without worry.” While Teresa is determined to continue supporting her newest clients, she admits that the strain on her resources is overwhelming. “Even before these new folks started visiting the pantry, our regular visitors had gone up from 400 to 650 a week. When you add in the migrant visitors, the numbers have nearly doubled in the span of a month and a half.” To fill in the gaps, she has leaned on a network of supporters and nurses in the neighborhood to provide her with the extra diapers, menstrual products, birth control, toiletries, and personal hygiene essentials these families need. But even with all this extra support, she knows it’s only a band-aid solution. “Now my mind goes to winter,” she explains. “How are we going to keep all of these people warm? I usually manage to give my regular clients a coat and gloves each year, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that for the growing number of migrants my program is supporting. I don’t want to turn anyone away, but don’t know what to do.” When asked about the new arrivals visiting her pantry, Teresa says they are just “shell-shocked.” “They are going day to day, that is the only way to describe how they’re making it through right now. They’re literally just thinking of the moment. They’re not even angry yet – they're scared and lost.” To make her point, Teresa shared an anecdote about a young migrant woman staying at the shelter. She had not been feeling well, but had been hesitant to talk to the shelter director. Eventually, it turned out that she was pregnant and worried that admitting that might cause her to lose her housing. As Teresa commented: “How bad does it have to be – how scared do you have to be – not to admit something like that?” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Red Door Place (@thereddoorplace) Mayor Eric Adams himself announced earlier this month that we are in a state of emergency and must move quickly to support new arrivals to our city. It is vital that they are housed, that they are fed, that they are made to feel safe and welcome in their new home. We at Food Bank are proud to provide food and other resources to community members like Teresa who are on the ground fighting to do just that. Times of crisis test us all, and it’s everyday folks like Teresa and her team at The Red Door Place that remind us of how powerful we can be when we rise up together. For more on how YOU can uplift our city’s newest neighbors, click this link. Your generosity will help us provide crucial food items to the New Yorkers that need it most. -
7 Latinx Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger
Hispanic Heritage Month provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the leaders who fight for the dignity, empowerment, and survival of our Latinx neighbors, both here...
Hispanic Heritage Month provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the leaders who fight for the dignity, empowerment, and survival of our Latinx neighbors, both here in New York City and across the nation. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does feature several individuals (both past and present) who have helped to combat food insecurity in Latinx communities and uplift the workers who have long provided food for all of us. Take a peek at the full list below! Mateo Guerrero-Tabares Mateo, standing outside Make the Road New York in Queens. Source: Feeding America. Mateo Guerrero-Tabares is the Trans Justice and Leadership Program Manager at Make the Road New York, a Food Bank member agency that serves immigrant, working-class, and transgender communities throughout Brooklyn and Queens. Mateo found his way to Make the Road in 2010 after arriving in New York City as an undocumented minor. He began his journey as both a client and volunteer, receiving aid from the organization to adjust his immigration status and stay permanently in the United States. He now brings that same level of solidarity and support to the immigrant and transgender New Yorkers he proudly serves. Read our recent interview with Mateo! Dolores Huerta Dolores Huerta speaking at a campaign rally for President Bill Clinton. Source: Wikimedia. A famed organizer and activist, Dolores Huerta has long been a champion for the working poor, women, and children. Though she rose to prominence when establishing the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez, she forged a unique path all her own that focused on helping migrant populations secure the resources they needed to thrive. Still a major labor leader to this day, Huerta travels the country as a speaker and campaigner, drawing on her decades of experience in the public sphere to fight against injustice. José Andrés View this post on Instagram A post shared by José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) José Andrés is a Spanish chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides emergency food relief to communities around the globe. Most recently, Andrés made headlines for taking to the ground to serve refugees escaping conflict from Ukraine. Andrés also provided meals and other resources to us here at Food Bank For New York City at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to help us feed and nourish our neighbors across the five boroughs. Emma Tenayuca Source: Wikipedia. Born in San Antonio, TX in 1916, Emma Tenayuca was a Mexican American writer, speaker, educator, and organizer who fought for workers’ rights. Though she accomplished many things in her lifetime, she is perhaps best known for helping to orchestrate and lead a massive strike of over 12,000 pecan shell workers in her native San Antonio at the age of just 21. The strike forced owners to increase wages for the pecan shell workers, many of whom were immigrant women. The victory marked a significant step forward for the Mexican American struggle for justice and equality in the United States. Cesar Chavez Cesar Chavez addressing a crowd. Source: Wikimedia. Cesar Chavez was instrumental in securing union rights for migrant farm workers in the 1960s. As a farmer himself, Chavez decided to partner with Dolores Huerta to create the National Farm Workers Association (later known as the United Farm Workers of America) to advocate for the improvement of wages and conditions for those working the land. Chavez utilized a range of non-violent tactics – from marching to fasting, organizing, and collective bargaining – to draw attention to the struggles of migrant farm workers and solidify protections that continue to uplift and support laborers to this day. Pedro Rodriguez As the economic fallout from COVID-19 drove more and more New Yorkers to the pantry line, Pedro Rodriguez took it upon himself to establish La Jornada, a food pantry formerly located in Queens. Serving thousands of individuals and families a week, the pantry became a lifeline for immigrant communities in need of reliable and consistent access to produce and shelf-stable goods. La Jornada eventually joined the Food Bank member network, receiving grants from us to optimize their operations. Jessica Govea Thorbourne Source: Cornell University. Jessica Govea Thorbourne was a labor organizer and educator who worked closely with Cesar Chavez at the United Farm Workers Union. She was one of the first activists to publicly call attention to the dangers of pesticides to both workers and food, helping to limit exposure and establish better safety practices in the field. Later in her life, Thorbourne served as a professor at Cornell and Rutgers, where she taught courses on labor organizing. For more on how we serve our Latinx neighbors now and throughout the year, click here. -
Together We Rise |
I Rise for Empowerment
At Food Bank, we are proud to be a grant recipient of the Grubhub Community Fund, which provides resources to organizations like ours to empower and support our...
At Food Bank, we are proud to be a grant recipient of the Grubhub Community Fund, which provides resources to organizations like ours to empower and support our neighbors. This Hunger Action Month, Grubhub has taken its partnership a step further by sponsoring our “Together We Rise” series, which features stories of resilience and strength from the folks who power our mission every day. Ray Lu is a member of Food Bank's Junior Board, where he works with his fellow community members to support and raise awareness about Food Bank's mission to fight hunger for ALL New Yorkers. Read on to learn a little bit more about Ray and how he found his place in New York City through volunteering with a food pantry in his neighborhood. Where in NYC do you live? What’s something special about your neighborhood that people may not know? I lived in Chelsea for several years before moving up to Morningside Heights. On weekends, the street outside of Hungarian Pastry Shop on 111th Street and Amsterdam is closed to traffic and open for community events! What does community mean to you? A community is a group of people who support each other. I often tell people that I struggled when I first moved to New York City - in part because I didn't find my communities. Over time, I connected with people who cared about the same things that I did, which made a world of difference. What keeps you motivated when times get tough? I turn to my friends and family for support. I recognize that I'm lucky to have those people in my life, and part of my daily goal is to share their capacity for care with others around me. Living life for others, with others, is in a way the essence of empathy and compassion. What keeps you connected to Food Bank’s mission to feed and nourish ALL New Yorkers? I've been volunteering at a Food Bank-affiliated pantry for over two years, and the fellow volunteers have become some of my closest friends. Though the food bank is located in my old neighborhood in Chelsea, I still find time on Saturday mornings to give back to and connect with the community. In addition, the Junior Board at Food Bank is comprised of an incredible group of people who inspire me to be better every day. What do you rise for? I rise for economic justice and empowerment. Food Bank For New York City’s “Together We Rise” series is presented by Grubhub, our Hunger Action Month partner whose immense generosity is enabling us to continue the work of feeding and nourishing ALL New Yorkers in these challenging times. -
Together We Rise |
I Rise for Children
At Food Bank, we are proud to be a grant recipient of the Grubhub Community Fund, which provides resources to organizations like ours to empower and support our...
At Food Bank, we are proud to be a grant recipient of the Grubhub Community Fund, which provides resources to organizations like ours to empower and support our neighbors. This Hunger Action Month, Grubhub has taken its partnership a step further by sponsoring our “Together We Rise” series, which features stories of resilience and strength from the folks who power our mission every day. Annie Poon is one of the newest members of our Food Bank family. She began supporting our mission at the height of COVID-19 and later became a monthly donor when she saw just how far her support could go. Read her story below and learn all about her commitment to fighting for the needs of children in her community. What is your hunger story – in other words, your connection or experience with food insecurity? I left my first college before completing my education. I abruptly entered the elusive job search without the support of my parents or family. The local pet store accepted my application, but I was only making $4.15 an hour. Over time, my boss started giving me less and less hours. Finally, one day, the company scheduled a meeting for all the staff at my supervisor’s home. I didn’t have a car and the only way to get to the meeting was to take two long bus rides with a long walk on both ends, I arrived at the meeting when it had just wrapped up. My boss fired me the next day and I suddenly couldn’t afford the rent on my apartment anymore. I grew alfalfa sprouts in the refrigerator and purchased cheap cheese slices to put on my sandwiches. One day I asked my roommates if they wanted to trade some food with me. They laughed at me and said they knew there was no food in my cabinet. This is my story of food insecurity. It was short lived, but I learned a lot about what it feels like to go without food and resources. When I was a little more financially secure, I determined that I could make a small monthly donation to Food Bank so that a few less children in my community would go hungry each month. What keeps you motivated when times get tough? When times get tough, I take out my pencil and write in my thick white journal. It is a simple pleasure, free but satisfying. The ability to write in my journal gives me joy. It is a friend to me. I also love to write down the inspiring words I hear when I pray. What compelled you to become a Food Bank supporter? I have never met any of the staff of Food Bank personally, but I have read the materials sent to me and realized that I wanted to be in this community that the Food Bank has created. I became even more motivated to give when I learned that a dollar can provide several meals for neighbors in my community. I imagine my dollar traveling through the city — through the blocks and past high rises — into the hands that prepare food for my fellow New Yorkers. Visualizing that little dollar going to those who need it most creates a beautiful image in my heart. As inflation drives food, rent, and gas prices higher across the city, how are you staying hopeful? As inflation drives food, rent, and gas prices higher across the city, I stay hopeful by changing my diet to less expensive foods, but preparing them with love and joy. I have recently started saying a prayer of thanks each and every day that I have daily bread to eat and a roof over my head. I feel lucky for this daily miracle no matter what I am eating. What do you rise for? I rise for children. Food Bank For New York City’s “Together We Rise” series is presented by Grubhub, our Hunger Action Month partner whose immense generosity is enabling us to continue the work of feeding and nourishing ALL New Yorkers in these challenging times.
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