NEW YORK (Nov. 19, 2024) — With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the importance of sharing a meal and giving back to those in need. That’s exactly what brought more than 60 guests together for the final Eat For Good dinner series event of the year hosted by Food Bank For New York City at NARO, where they savored an unforgettable Korean dining experience to unite under our shared mission to empower every New Yorker to achieve food security for good.
“To truly change the narrative of food insecurity in NYC, we need to start by building community,” said Matt Honeycutt, Chief Development Officer at Food Bank For NYC. “We need to bring people together around a table and get them to talk about the needs of their neighbors and how they can help. The trick is to set a table they’ve never sat down to before. That’s why Eat For Good was born.”
Guests were treated to a collaborative menu crafted by Chef Junghyun “JP” Park of NARO and Chef Kwang Uh of baroo, who’ve known each other for nearly a decade. Chef JP, who immigrated from Korea to NYC, shared: “Food is not just nourishment — it’s culture and language. Through food, we can unite as a community and help others. Being part of Eat For Good is amazing because it connects us as a community.”
The NARO x baroo event marked the fourth installment of the Eat For Good series, presented by Bank of America, which brings together New York’s top chefs and culinary talent from across the country to raise funds and awareness for Food Bank For New York City. The NARO x baroo dinner raised 350,000 meals, contributing to a total of 1.2 million meals for New Yorkers in need from the Eat for Good series in 2024.
The evening also held personal significance for Vice Chair of Food Bank’s Board of Directors Gloria Pitagorsky, whose family relied on food pantries after immigrating to New York from Guatemala. “Food pantries helped pave the way for us,” Pitagorsky said. “Now, I’m in a position to give back. Events like Eat For Good bring together like-minded individuals who care about helping our neighbors in need.”
Supported by Resy, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, SanPellegrino, Acqua Panna, and Moët Hennessy USA, the event kicked off with a vibrant cocktail hour where guests enjoyed a specially crafted drink featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka, sustainable, zero-waste ingredients, and botanicals for a refreshing and flavorful experience.
“Every element of this cocktail was thoughtfully designed to avoid food waste,” said bartender Victoria Rivera — a principle that aligns with Food Bank’s efforts to rescue nearly 16 million pounds of food annually.
Eat For Good inspires New Yorkers to act in the fight against hunger — one unforgettable meal at a time.
“There’s no greater fundamental need than to be fed,” said Food Bank board member and longtime supporter Ted Segal. “I’m very proud to play a part in helping that mission.”
Segal praised Eat For Good for combining an outstanding dining experience with an opportunity to make a difference. “It’s a chance to enjoy an exceptional meal with friends while introducing them to the critical work of Food Bank. We’ll definitely be back next year.”
Upcoming Eat For Good event dates for 2025 are being finalized. Visit our official page to be first in line for our next dining experience.
About Food Bank
Driven by our mission to empower every New Yorker to achieve food security for good, we harness the collective power of our network of food providers, partners, and volunteers to activate the right resources, supports, and expertise across the five boroughs. Our work with more than 800 soup kitchens, food pantries, and campus partners provides immediate and reliable access to food and nutrition education, while our economic empowerment programs give people the tools and know-how to improve their financial wellness. Community by community, we work together to make progress on a more hopeful, dignified, and equitable future for all.