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“Food insecurity is a growing problem in our city and the solution requires all New Yorkers to get involved” —Food Bank President & CEO, Margarette Purvis
NEW YORK— Food Bank For New York City is calling on all New Yorkers to “Go Orange” in September for Hunger Action Month. Food insecurity is a major issue facing New York City, with 1 in 5 people relying on soup kitchens or food pantries to make ends meet. New Yorkers can “Go Orange” by helping raising awareness, funds, and support in the fight to end hunger.
“Food insecurity is a growing problem in our city and the solution requires all New Yorkers to get involved,” said Margarette Purvis, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City. “Hunger is an invisible crisis: it could be affecting your co-worker, your child’s classmate, or the senior citizen who lives across the hallway. That’s why it’s so important for all of us to find our place inside Food Bank’s mission and take action to serve our neighbors in need.”
During September you’ll see individuals, small businesses, large corporations, schools and restaurants getting involved in the fight against hunger.
Here’s how you can Go Orange this month:
DONATE. Delta Air Lines is matching every donation, up to $85,000, throughout the month of September. Every $1 donated to Food Bank will provide 10 meals to New Yorkers in need.
VOLUNTEER. New Yorkers can make a direct impact on the lives of hungry children and families by joining one of our service shifts throughout September:
- Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in Harlem: Food Bank recently expanded our pantry offerings to include Saturday hours to ensure more New Yorkers who work or attend school during the week can access the resources they need. GO ORANGE by volunteering at Food Bank’s pantry any Saturday in September.
- Warehouse in the Bronx: On Saturday, September 21, families are welcome to GO ORANGE by volunteering at our Bronx Warehouse. We’ll unite in an effort to repack thousands of pounds of donated food for distribution to those in need across New York City. Get ready to sort, pack, weigh, and label to get these much-needed food items out the door to our neighbors in need.
DINE & SHOP FOR A CAUSE. Retailers and restaurants around NYC are also Going Orange in support of Food Bank, including:
- NYC-based jewelry line Catbird is donating 25% of proceeds from select pieces.
- For every Red Lentil Salad sold in the month of September at Casa Barilla in Times Square, Barilla will donate one box of pasta to help fight hunger in NYC.
- Cookie DŌ is donating $1 to Food Bank for every Cookie Dough Taster Pack sold in September at the flagship store.
- The Tea Factor is donating 20% of proceeds from the sale of their Manteca tea for the entire month.
- September 15: Dos Toros Taqueria is “Going Orange” to fight hunger on Sunday, September 15. Visit any Dos Toros location throughout NYC, and for each entree sold, Dos Toros will donate one meal to Food Bank for New Yorkers in need.
- September 22: Boqueria tapas bars will “GO ORANGE” on Boqueria Day, Sunday September 22, and 10% of the proceeds from all four locations will benefit Food Bank in our fight to end hunger.
- September 27: Go Orange with Food Bank and GrowNYC at our annual Farm to Food Bank food drive at Union Square Greenmarket on Friday, September 27 from 9am to 5pm. New Yorkers can also purchase an extra bag of produce to donate to Food Bank to help us get fresh fruits and veggies to communities throughout the five boroughs.
And on Hunger Action Day, September 12, iconic New York locations—including One World Trade Center; 7 World Trade; Con Ed Tower, Delta Traffic Control Tower, Pier 17, the Helmsley Building will light up in orange – the official color of hunger awareness to observe this important season.
For more than 36 years Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s primary hunger relief organization, working with a network of more than 1,000 charity partners across all five boroughs to serve New Yorkers in need. For more ways to Go Orange and join the fight to end hunger in New York City, go to https://www.foodbanknyc.org/goorange/
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About Food Bank For New York City:
Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for over 35 years. Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank for food and other resources. Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 58 million free meals for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank For New York City’s income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $150 million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence. In addition, Food Bank’s nutrition education programs and services empower more than 50,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget. To learn more about how you can help, please visit foodbanknyc.org. Follow us on Facebook (FoodBank4NYC), Twitter (@FoodBank4NYC) and Instagram (FoodBank4NYC).