|
|
|
|
|
Dear
Friend,
Recently on a bitterly cold afternoon, two New Yorkers entered an elevator. One immediately kvetched about how horrifically cold it was while the other hummed about how GLORIOUSLY CRISP and inviting the day had become. I won’t say which one I was, but I’ll tell you that the exchange held great significance for me. It highlighted how something as simple as temperature can create totally different reactions in people experiencing it, making me that much more aware and appreciative of New Yorkers who step up to serve the human lines surrounding soup kitchens and pantries regardless of (and often because of) the elements. Coming together is the lifeblood of the network and partnerships focused on ending hunger in our city. I was reminded of that when on a Saturday afternoon I received a call from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office asking me to join him as he announced his 2015 Opportunity Agenda anti-poverty plan. The day was cold, wet and nothing like anything on any postcard, yet it made the perfect backdrop to hearing about our state’s first steps in an evolving plan to better serve the most vulnerable. The Governor, Food Bank charity members, chefs, our celebrity friends, volunteers and donors have all come together to prove that the most warming extension towards any person facing bitter cold is active compassion.
Sincerely,
|
|
New Year, New Start
January and February hold special significance to the service community for many reasons. Whether we’re able to engage the public through the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or through stories of great accomplishment despite limited resources during Black History Month, the opportunity to come together at the start of a new year is a great and important one. All of us at Food Bank are so grateful for the many New Yorkers who joined us for our 2nd annual MLK Weekend of Service. My engagement team created 21 projects across the city in conjunction with our member charities. More than 600 volunteers came together to work in gardens, repaint soup kitchens, prepare snacks for homebound seniors, convert pantries to client choice style and more. By the end of the weekend we saw New Yorkers large and small come together to establish the new year with a clear message. Dr. King’s words, “What are you doing for others?” make up more than a question. They form the basis of a beautiful challenge that each of us can answer.
|
Making the Connection
Imagine weekly conversations spanning more than ten years without ever having a face-to-face meeting. No, I’m not describing a pen pal situation but the very real relationship between many managers of soup kitchens and pantries and Food Bank staff responsible for confirming food orders and deliveries. So imagine our surprise when on a cold snowy day, we were visited by Mrs. Carmen Robinson of Spanish Soundview SDA. Mrs. Robinson recently lost her husband of 72 years, and understandably, needed time to grieve. Once she felt ready to venture out again, she decided that she was tired of only knowing voices on the phone. She put on her best coat and decided that our Bronx warehouse would be her first stop on her new life journey. This simple decision by a bold servant leader was a breath of fresh air for us for many reasons. Mrs. Robinson’s answered need to better connect is the inspiration behind a new direction at Food Bank. We’re starting a new buddy program pairing Food Bankers who monitor with Food Bankers who ensure deliveries. We believe our goals to continuously improve our service to community will only benefit from this vital change. A special thank you to Mrs. Robinson (and the late Mr. Robinson) for reminding us of the value of sustained and vital connections.
|
A SOUPer Bowl 4 Super Guests
For as long as I can remember, getting together with my family and friends on Super Bowl Sunday has been a favorite day of the year. Unfortunately, the isolating reality of poverty often removes this important American gathering as an option for families. This fact was the inspiration behind our 1st annual SOUPer Bowl Pre-Game Party at our Community Kitchen in Harlem. We replaced the food warmers with projector screens and a fresh fruit bar and turned the reins of the kitchen and menu over to Culinary Council Member and new visiting culinary director, Chef Max Hardy. Our goal was to offer a shared table experience between our donors and friends and our neighbors served by our senior program and pantry or partner shelters, based solely on the fellowship provided by football and wings. In two events, our guests enjoyed music provided by a DJ and next level football chatter with Carolina Panthers player (and Queens native) Derek Dennis. None of this would have been possible without our volunteer chefs, face painters and bartenders, along with the generosity of food donors Baldor Specialty Foods, A & P, Lucky’s Real Tomatoes, Katzman’s Produce, and Baked by Melissa. It takes a village to come together to ensure a SOUPer Sunday for deserving New Yorkers.
|
Bridging the Gap
One of the most important gatherings for the city’s hunger community is NYC’s Conference on Hunger and Poverty. It provides the one opportunity for 600 leaders to come together to discuss our progress towards bridging New York City’s huge meal gap in new and innovative ways. This year was special as the citywide network selected 20 representatives (of their choice) to serve on our first Strategy Council. This group will make up the network voice on Food Bank’s rollout of our strategic plan, Feed The Need. The energy I felt during the conference was unlike any that I’ve ever felt. The urgency of now combined with the connections and voice of our network made each room feel electric. More than discussing individual charity needs and progress, the conference provided an opportunity for a network to discuss our collective impact and the need and priority of new efficiencies in our shared mission. I walked away inspired. I’m especially thankful that Senior Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr., Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin, Commisioner of New York City's Human Resources Administration Steven Banks, former White House Senior Policy Advisor Sam Kass and NBC’s Erica Hill were able to join us at the conference. The rest of the year will benefit greatly from this important and intentional start.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
