Nothing Stops Rafaela

Elizabeth Romano is the Senior Director of Operations at Food Bank For New York City's Warehouse & Distribution Center in the Bronx. Each day, she shows up early and leaves late to make sure life-changing produce, hygiene products, and shelf-stable goods reach the homes of those who need them most. Help us get period products, hygiene essentials, and childcare resources to women and girls in need! Elizabeth Romano at Food Bank's Warehouse & Distribution Center in the Bronx. When Liz was growing up with five siblings in the Bronx, that home was her own, and she recalls waiting on long pantry lines with her mother to get food for their family. But at the time, she didn't even realize that's what they were doing, as the pantry workers always treated them with such warmth, dignity, and respect. Elizabeth with her younger siblings. Now, Liz gets to return that energy right back to the city she loves. "At the end of the night, I know that our work helped feed somebody today," she told us. "Our donors help any sibling that has to go out and stand in a pantry line with their parent... it can be anything that changes your life." Hit play and meet Liz below: Join us in celebrating the women we serve and those who power our mission every day at this link. Together, we can make progress on a more hopeful, dignified, and equitable future for ALL.

Running from March 1 to May 1 each year, Food Bank's Woman to Woman campaign is all about raising funds to provide women and girls facing food insecurity with the period products, hygiene essentials, and childcare resources they need to thrive. To support this work, we run ads throughout the city featuring women and girls proudly served by Food Bank member agencies. At this year's photoshoot, we met Jessica, who came to us on the recommendation of our friends at The HopeLine in the Bronx. Jessica showed up early, ready to offer her voice and perspective to the campaign. When we started talking to her, it was clear that she had a story to share, one rooted in struggling to feed her family of five amidst cuts to her benefits and the rising costs of everything from baby formula to diapers and topical cream. Jessica at Food Bank's Community Kitchen & Food Pantry with her daughter. Jessica is just one of many New Yorkers fighting to make ends meet, not only for herself, but for her family. By supporting Food Bank's Woman to Woman campaign, you can help fill in the gaps for women like Jessica all across the five boroughs. Meet Jessica and hear her story below: In a city that never gives up on its people, we’re committed to delivering services and solutions that empower everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. We want to change what's possible today so that the women and girls we proudly serve can take charge of their stories and chart new paths for the future. Join us in this work today and you can help us give for good.

On Thursday, Aug. 3, Food Bank For New York City celebrated the graduation of 20 member agencies from its third annual Masterclass cohort on Thursday at Penn 1. This marked the first in-person gathering of its kind since the start of the pandemic. Graduates included organizations like Agatha House Foundation, Christ Abundant Life Ministries, La Jornada NY Food Pantry, and many more. Our Masterclass cohort smiles for the camera as they are celebrated in our third annual graduation ceremony. The Masterclass series aims to empower leaders that reflect the diversity of New York City with the resources and tools they need to overcome unique challenges and scale their program’s impact across the five boroughs. It contains five key modules on Advocacy, Fundraising, Leadership, Sustainability, and Project Management, with plans to launch a sixth Marketing component next February. Over the past three years, 35 organizations have completed the Masterclass, and next year’s cohort is set to double in size. It was recently recognized for excellence in community building by Feeding America and is supported by our friends at Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). The Masterclass graduates watch as their colleagues are awarded their diplomas on stage. Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank, kicked off the event by acknowledging the remarkable achievements of our agency partners. “You’re special. What you do every day is powerful and it's magic,” Leslie said. Leslie Gordon, CEO of Food Bank For New York City, addresses this year's graduating class. Victor Bell, Director of Marketing and Sales at BCBS, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting the community. Their partnership with Food Bank For NYC has provided crucial resources and volunteers in the fight to end hunger. Victor Bell, Blue Cross Blue Shield elaborates on the health implications of hunger, and the importance of volunteering. The event also featured moving testimonies from Pastor Lara Emmanuel of Christ Abundant Life Ministries, who initiated the CALM food pantry to protect school children from predatory gang members. Today, her organization feeds 20,000 community members yearly, thanks to the knowledge and resources acquired through her partnership with Food Bank and the Masterclass program. Pastor Lara Emmanuel shares how the Masterclass program helped her and her organization, Christ Abundant Life Ministries better serve the community. Another success story is Jeanette Joseph-Greenaway, founder of Agatha House Foundation, who used the Masterclass to build new partnerships and scaled her program to meet the growing need for food support both during and after the pandemic. These stories are a testament to the power of knowledge and collaboration in scaling our impact across NYC. Jeanette Joseph-Greenway, founder of Agatha House Foundation, shares how she feeds New Yorkers in need during and after the pandemic. The room erupted in applause as each graduate stepped on stage to receive their diplomas. Armed with knowledge, resources, and newfound partnerships, these extraordinary leaders help advance our shared mission to end hunger and create a better future for all New Yorkers. They are the heart and soul of Food Bank for New York City, and their unwavering dedication to service makes them true heroes in every sense of the word. Zanita Tisdale, Vice President of Agency and Organizational Impact, congratulates a recent graduate in a warm embrace.