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I Rise for Justice

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...

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Together We Rise |

I Rise for Justice

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...

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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. Though a recent transplant to New York City, Elizabeth Schiffmann has already become a regular volunteer at Food Bank’s Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in West Harlem. As she continues to explore her new city, she says that serving at Food Bank has helped her to feel more connected to her neighbors across the five boroughs. Elizabeth rescuing produce at a recent “Farm 2 Food Bank” volunteer shift at the Union Square Farmers’ Market. Where in NYC do you live? What’s something special about your neighborhood that people may not know? I live on the Upper East side and feel like I’m still getting to know my neighborhood as I moved here last October. But something I love is that there is a neighborhood group that works on preserving the trees along the streets and sidewalks. They prune and keep the wrought iron barriers in good shape. What does community mean to you? For me, community means getting to know the needs of your neighbors and helping if you can. This can include beautifying one’s surroundings or volunteering at a place like Food Bank. What keeps you motivated when times get tough? Having moved here from the metro Boston area, I do not know many people, so this has been tough at times. Getting involved and helping out around a new community was the easiest way to better understand my new home. This also helps when I have some “poor me” moments! As inflation drives food, rent, and gas prices higher and higher across the city, how are you staying hopeful? I stay hopeful because I see how people truly care for one another and help each other, though often there are obstacles that they personally face. There is nothing we can’t do when we come together. What keeps you connected to Food Bank’s mission to feed and nourish ALL New Yorkers? I would not like to go hungry myself. The staff and other volunteers at Food Bank’s Community Kitchen & Food Pantry have been so positive, friendly, professional, and extremely hard-working. What do you rise for? I rise for hunger and justice. 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.
Volunteer |

Volunteer Profile: Paul Adamsbaum

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Volunteer Profile: Paul Adamsbaum Paul Adamsbaum has served as a volunteer at our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in West Harlem since 2017. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "I grew up in the city and know that many of its citizens face challenges every day. Food Bank gives me the chance to help people overcome some of those challenges on a very personal level." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "Whether it was serving breakfast to seniors pre-COVID, or helping at the Grab-and-Go Pantry distributions, I was always warmed by how appreciative everyone I came in contact with was." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "For me and my wife, it's Sunday morning bagels and lox breakfast, while sitting in front of the TV watching CBS Sunday Morning and reading the Sunday New York Times." Who inspires you to serve? "My parents who, when I was growing up in Queens, instilled in me the value of helping others regardless of what rung of society's ladder we happen to occupy."
Volunteer |

Volunteer Profile: Belinda Cheng

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Volunteer Profile: Belinda Cheng Belinda Cheng has served as a volunteer since 2012. She most recently served with us as a VITA volunteer for the 2022 tax season. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "I like that Food Bank’s mission has tangible, immediate impacts in our communities, whether it’s pantry distributions or helping clients file their taxes for free to secure much-needed refunds." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "I’ve served in many capacities with Food Bank over the years: the annual New York City Wine & Food Festival; repacking at the Warehouse in the Bronx; and, most recently, as a VITA volunteer tax preparer. I like the in-person interactions with clients, and my fellow volunteers." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "Lunar New Year meals are always a special time for family reunions and tasty food!" Who inspires you to serve? "I am inspired by the joy, gratefulness, and smiles on the clients' faces. If you have the ability to serve, you should! "
Inside Food Bank's Community BBQ in Harlem

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,...

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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.
Volunteer |

Volunteer Profile: Devin Yang

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Volunteer Profile: Devin Yang Devin Yang joined Food Bank as a volunteer for our 2022 VITA season, serving both in-person and virtually. In total, Devin was able to prepare tax returns for more than 60 clients, totaling just over $125,000 in refunds! Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "I wanted to give back to my community and fight food poverty using my knowledge as a rising accountant. Food Bank’s mission is important to me because it aligns exactly with that, the prevention of food poverty with the organization of food and knowledge." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "When I was waiting for my train at 116th St, I met a client who thanked me for doing their tax return, and how much it meant for them that I did their tax return correctly and professionally. It really showed me that what we did mattered, and that we changed someone’s life for the better." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "Spring rolls are a very special meal to me. We always have them on special occasions, and they’re both delicious and easy to make!" Who inspires you to serve? "My family inspires me to serve. I heard my parents’ stories of their hardships when growing up, one of which was their sacrifice of education as kids so they could get food for the next day. I wanted to prevent situations like this from happening ever since, which is why I volunteer when I can."
Volunteer |

Volunteer Profile: Anna Lynn Oppenheimer

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Volunteer Profile: Anna Lynn Oppenheimer Anna Lynn (pictured center) started volunteering with Food Bank in March 2022 and has since become a regular volunteer at our Community Kitchen & Pantry, serving over 20 hours! Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "I am passionate about ending hunger in New York City. I strongly believe that access to healthy food is a fundamental human right and I admire the innovative ways that Food Bank works to provide New Yorkers with access to food and other important services and resources to help alleviate poverty." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "I was fortunate to be a volunteer the first day that the Community Kitchen was able to welcome volunteers again. It was inspiring to see Food Bank in action helping New Yorkers and also to meet the dedicated staff who had been courageously working on the front lines throughout the pandemic." Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "I have been in New York for nearly 30 years, but as a Louisiana native, I love cooking, eating, and sharing a big pot of gumbo with family and friends. We even named our puppy “Gumbo,” in honor of our favorite meal. " Who inspires you to serve? "I am inspired by my fellow New Yorkers, those who are in need of some sort of assistance and those who are able to lend a hand to help others. We are fortunate to live together in this amazing, if complex, city and anything we can do to lift one another up benefits us all."
Volunteer |

Volunteer Profile: Lee Brown

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Volunteer Profile: Lee Brown Lee Brown (pictured left) is a longtime Food Bank volunteer and has served over 1,000 hours with us. Lee is a familiar face at our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry and we were thrilled to recently welcome him back to in-person volunteering after a two-year pause! Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? "Food Bank helps a lot of people in the community that are going through hard times. Sometimes it's not just food, but other things like helping enroll in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). They also have programming for seniors as well." What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? "When the NFL players from the New York Jets and Giants came to the Community Kitchen to give out turkeys and hams to the community. " Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. "The Thanksgiving meal or the holiday when they have a special guest." Who inspires you to serve? "The staff here are great and, no matter what, always have smiles on their faces. That’s what inspires me to serve."
Volunteer |

Volunteer Profile: Sheryl McFadden

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Volunteer Profile: Sheryl McFadden Sheryl McFadden is serving with Food Bank as a NYC Civic Corps Member from September 2021-July 2022. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? “Food Bank's mission is important to me because everyone deserves essential needs. Food Bank taking on that mission and helping to feed the city makes all the difference and shows how united we can be.” What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? “The most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank was the Thanksgiving Turkey pop-up distribution in Brooklyn. It was amazing to give away whole turkeys to the community and watch how it brightened their spirits.” Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. “Not a meal, but every year our Christmas tradition is to make my mom's famous banana pudding. It is extra special to me because of all the memories I have in the kitchen with my siblings helping mom. Food really does bring people together.” Who inspires you to serve? “Serving others has always been a love of mine, and I believe that worrying about the happiness and humanity of others (not just yourself) is so important to living a full life. My Grandmother taught me that and I never forgot it!”
Volunteer |

Volunteer Profile: Michaela Phipps

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Volunteer Profile: Michaela Phipps Michaela Phipps recently joined the Food Bank to volunteer for our Virtual MLK Day of Service on January 17, 2022. Why is Food Bank’s mission important to you? “The Food Bank’s mission is important to me because it serves the community in a way that provides one of the most essential needs for every person - Food. Food gives all of us the means to function in life: school, work, play, and taking care of family, community and the world.” What was your most memorable moment while serving with Food Bank? “I just recently started volunteering through the Dear New York Program writing letters. This virtual activity gave me the opportunity to revisit both my love for art and giving words of support and motivation to others - something I had lost during the 1 1/2 years of remote learning.” Tell us about a meal that is special to you and your family. “Stir-fry vegetables. This meal is healthy, quick and easy to make. We all get involved by preparing a variety of vegetables (mushrooms and broccoli is my favorite) - add favorite seasoning or Asian sauce (meat or seafood optional). It’s special because everybody plays a part in making the meal.” Who inspires you to serve? “My mother is the person who has inspired me. She is a social worker in a hospital. She often tells me about the patients she works with, the hardships they experience and the ways she helps to make their lives less challenging. That’s what I want to do too.”

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