The Food Bank Holiday Gift Guide

Looking to make the most of your holiday shopping this season? Then check out some of the awesome, mission-driven brands we’re partnering with this year to help make your holiday gifts extra special. When you click buy on any of the items listed below, you’ll be directly supporting our mission to fight hunger for ALL New Yorkers. For Others View this post on Instagram A post shared by FOR OTHERS. (@shopforothers) For Others is a purpose-driven loungewear brand that donates proceeds from every item back into the communities from which they were purchased, based on delivery address. To do this, the brand partners with local non-profits that are facing some of the country’s toughest challenges, including the Food Bank For New York City. So, if you’re a New Yorker or shipping to an address in New York state, $5 from your purchase will go right back to us so that we can help feed and empower New Yorkers! Cinq à Sept View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cinq à Sept (@cinqasept) From 11/29 - 11/30, women’s wear brand Cinq à Sept will be donating 10 percent of all sales to Food Bank. Inspired by the twilight hours between 5 and 7 pm, the company strikes an intriguing balance between confident daytime ease and the sophisticated allure of night. With everything from sweaters to dresses, tops, accessories, and more, this is a one-stop shop for the stylish loved ones on your gift list. Liz Barclay View this post on Instagram A post shared by Elizabeth Barclay (@lizbarclay_) Food Bank is proud to partner with photographer Liz Barclay for an exclusive holiday shopping experience, as featured in the Eater National Gift Guide. Supporters can purchase a variety of different prints from the acclaimed artist with proceeds going back to Food Bank. The photographs and playful collages are available while supplies last. Shop now to secure your very own Barclay original! jcoco View this post on Instagram A post shared by jcoco chocolate (@jcocochocolate) jcoco is a women-led chocolate company that specializes not only in crafting bold, flavorful chocolate, but in using the sweet luxury to make a difference. From now until 12/31, 10 percent of proceeds from every bar sold will be used to fight food insecurity in support of our mission at Food Bank. To find the delectable treat that’s right for you or someone on your holiday shopping list, click here. KROST View this post on Instagram A post shared by KROST (@krostnewyork) Loungewear brand KROST is committed to raising awareness about different issues plaguing society, including the rise of food insecurity across the United States. To that end, every purchase made through the brand helps support organizations like ours that are on the ground fighting hunger. Shop the fall/winter collection until 12/4 and a portion of the proceeds goes right back to Food Bank. Spectrum Designs Foundation View this post on Instagram A post shared by Spectrum Designs Foundation (@spectrum_designs) Spectrum Designs is a NY-based non-profit focused on employing young adults on the Autism Spectrum. This holiday season, the organization is pairing with its sister enterprise Spectrum Bakes to sell GIVING Bars made from nutritious, homemade granola. And when you purchase a GIVING Bar, we here at Food Bank will receive a bar to distribute at our Community Kitchen in Harlem. Broma View this post on Instagram A post shared by Broma: Elevate the Ordinary (@eatbroma) Broma makes nutrient-rich, organic spreads that are as good for the body as they are delicious. From now until 12/5, $1 from every purchase of the brand’s Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Almond Butter will be donated to the Food Bank For New York City, allowing us to provide more food and resources to our neighbors in need. Melissa Joy Manning View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melissa Joy Manning (@melissajoymanning) On Monday 12/6, jewelry brand Melissa Joy Manning will be donating 12 percent of all sale proceeds to Food Bank as part of its “12 Days of Giving” initiative. The brand endeavors to create jewelry that makes a positive impact on the world, with a focus on ethical sourcing and sustainability. Shop the collection of earrings, power cuffs, necklaces, and more, here. And of course you can always shop for good at the Food Bank store. Every purchase directly supports our mission to fight hunger across the five boroughs, now and throughout the year.

From October 14 - 17, the Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival offers attendees the chance to enjoy over 60 events and workshops hosted by the world's most renowned culinary personalities. But what's really fantastic about the festival is that 100% of the net proceeds go right back to fighting food insecurity in NYC, specifically in support of us here at Food Bank and God's Love We Deliver. Another cool thing about the festival? It's powered almost entirely by volunteers! That's right, New Yorkers just like you make this one of the most impactful anti-hunger events of the year, working closely with us and Food Network celebrities to pull off this extra special weekend. Want to sign up to be a volunteer with us on the ground? Register here! And if you'd like to hear from some of our past volunteers, keep on reading below. They share what the experience is like and why they return to NYCWFF year after year. What is your favorite thing about volunteering with Food Bank at NYCWFF? Chef Tianna Lawrence: As a DOP (Dope Ol' Person), I never tire of learning. The youngsters have a lot to learn, but they also have a lot to teach. I come away each year with a new recipe, new skill, or a fresh new way to do something I’ve done all the time. Chef Carol Koty: As someone blessed to be surrounded by food every single day, it breaks my heart that there is anyone going hungry. This one weekend of hard work (and a ton of fun!) raises so much money to not only help those that are homeless, but those with jobs that are struggling with the decision to make rent or put food on the table. Our help allows Food Bank to make that decision easier for those families. Why did you decide to return as a NYCWFF volunteer in 2021? Chef Carol Koty: NYCWFF is one event that I look forward to being a part of every year. I have been volunteering since 2013, and I plan to continue to make NYCWFF a priority in my life for many years to come. Emil Gomez: I had so much fun last time that I wanted to experience all of it again. Chef Tianna Lawrence: My mother (who passed away this past year) drummed into my head that no matter how bad your situation might be at the moment, there is someone who has it worse. Never forget that and use what you love to help others. This pandemic has taken a lot. Friends, family, and coworkers. But I’m here for another year with this great organization. What’s the most exciting part of getting to volunteer on the ground at NYCWFF? Any fun celebrity stories or sightings? Emil Gomez: I was wandering around a venue once when an event was about to end. I then came face to face with Ted Allen. We talked about "Chopped," of course! Chef Carol Koty: One of my favorite memories from 2019 - Alex Guarnaschelli's restaurant was serving food at one of the pier events where she was also headlining as a celebrity. Before the event started, I was walking by her restaurant's kitchen station. She stopped me, gave me a sample of the dish, and asked me if I thought it needed more sauce. An "Iron Chef" and "Chopped" judge wanted my opinion! I was on cloud nine. Chef Tianna Lawrence: Back in 2018, Anne Burrell was a volunteer for a "Chopped" event. We were so surprised. She told us, 'I’m just like you, tell me what needs to be done to set up.' Man, that women could chop onions faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. We worked, but watched everything she did. She was a hoot and we had a ball! What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about whether or not to sign up as a NYCWFF volunteer? Chef Tianna Lawrence: For those who aren’t sure, try out one or two events. It’s for a great cause and you’ll walk away knowing you’ve given back to your neighbors in need. Chef Carol Koty: If you are on the fence about volunteering, find a friend to volunteer with you! That way, you'll automatically know someone participating, and you can experience it together. We're beyond grateful for all the folks that make NYCWFF such a phenomenal experience. As a reminder, the festival is running from October 14 - 17, so there is still time to register as a volunteer. Take a peek at our full schedule of available shifts.

Mark Brand’s journey in justice started angry. At least that’s how the social entrepreneur, chef, activist, DJ, and Food Bank culinary council member put it to me on the phone. We were discussing Hunger Action Month and I had asked him how he found his way into the food justice movement. “My journey began in a place of anger, as I think many people’s does,” he explained. “You have this moment where you realize that all of these systems of oppression are at work and you recognize your own role in it. You start to ask: How can I use my unearned privilege to make an impact in fighting these systems?” But for Mark, he wasn’t just seeing these systems from the outside – he'd experienced them first hand in moments of struggle and hunger while growing up in Nova Scotia. He saw how they impacted his friends, family, and neighbors and understood from an early age just how powerful food could be, not only for its ability to sustain the body, but for how it could connect people and nourish their souls. “I was trained by my family to always be in service to others and our community,” he said. “If someone was hungry, the door was always open. There wasn’t a lot, but there was always enough.” Breaking bread like this over his family’s table became transformational for Mark. It inspired the types of conversations that can change a person if they’re willing to listen. Ultimately, sharing resources with people who were different from him allowed Mark to stretch his empathy and widen his perspective. Fast forward a couple decades and Mark now operates five businesses centered on food, music, and community impact. His work extends to neighborhoods all across the United States and Canada and is focused on meeting folks where they’re at, seeing what they need, and using his skills to fill in the gaps. And that’s how he arrived at Food Bank three years ago, ready to slip in like water amongst whatever cracks he saw. “One of the reasons why I serve on the Food Bank culinary council is because I can see myself plugging into the work in so many different ways. How can I support Chef Sheri in the Community Kitchen? How can I show up for our clients in Queens? Food Bank holds two different energies for me. On one hand, I’m so upset that it exists. But on the other hand, Food Bank has these deep, trusted relationships with organizations all across the five boroughs, which allows it to capture and mobilize the spirit of New York City in service of its people.” It’s a community-based approach that aligns with Mark’s desire to get to know people before mobilizing to “help” them, something he enacted with us as grill master at our Father's Day food distribution at Deliverance Baptist Church in Queens this past Juneteenth. “In the food justice space, there’s a lot of one day show up,” he explained. “People will often say, ’I’ll help out during Christmas or on Thanksgiving.’ ‘I’ll go into a neighborhood that is deeply impacted by colonialism, by systems of oppression, and because people accept my food, it’s all good.’ But did you ask what kinds of food they wanted? Did you ask how you could support work that’s already happening in these communities, how you could lend your time and talents to their missions?” These questions can feel intimidating, but navigating them doesn’t have to be. For Mark, it’s all about being open and listening to the people you want to serve. Instead of saying this is what you’re going to do, say this is what I’m thinking of doing. And then be ready to pivot in the moment to meet the actual need. That said, as you’re looking for ways to get involved with our work to fight food insecurity this Hunger Action Month, start with a little research. Get to know us, see what we need. At Food Bank, we make this easy by offering a ton of ways to engage, from volunteer opportunities on the ground to options for giving directly to the programs that nourish our neighbors all across the city. “Decenter yourself,” Mark offered as a bit of closing advice. “To truly be in service, you have to understand the plight of the people you’re trying to be in service to. Before you go to serve someone, see them. There’s nothing better in the world than being seen.” To learn more about Mark and his work to transform the world through food and community, go here. And to figure out your place in our mission to fight hunger across NYC, click here.