“I know what it is to not have food. It’s hard. It’s mentally exhausting to wake up and know there’s nothing.”
NEW YORK, Feb 27, 2025 — Hunger isn’t just about food—it’s about the weight of uncertainty, the grind of getting by. Marcus Stenson knows that weight. He grew up carrying it. Raised by a single mother in the Bronx, Marcus often didn’t know when or where his next meal would come from.
Now, he lifts that weight for others.
As a Warehouse Professional at Food Bank For New York City, Marcus moves thousands of pounds of food each day to make sure no New Yorker goes hungry. His work isn’t just about logistics. It’s about dignity. Every box he loads, every pallet he shifts, every order he double-checks is a step toward food security for someone else.
“Marcus is the definition of positivity,” says Ron Olaizola, Associate Director of Operations. “His energy is unmatched. Every day, he reminds us that teamwork is everything, rallying the warehouse with his daily affirmation: ‘Teamwork makes the dream work!’ He’s never afraid to show love to others and rises above and beyond for our neighbors and each other.”
For Marcus, this work is personal.
“Feeding people isn’t just my job—it’s my mission,” he says. He recalls the moment a family arrived at the warehouse door in desperate need. “Everything stopped. We all came together to make sure they had what they needed. This is Food Bank For NYC. This is what we do.”
The same hunger that once shaped his childhood now fuels his purpose. Because hunger isn’t just about food—it’s about stability, security, and a chance at something better. And Marcus is moving more than just meals. He’s moving hope.
Marcus’s journey is a powerful reminder: behind every meal we distribute is a person making it happen—and a community coming together to ensure no New Yorker goes hungry.
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.