Food Bank for New York City
Mission: To end hunger by organizing food, information and support for community survival, empowerment, and dignity. Food Bank For New York City has been working to end food poverty in our five boroughs for over 36 years. As the city’s largest hunger-relief organization, we employ a multifaceted approach centered on helping low-income New Yorkers overcome their circumstances and achieve greater independence.
About
Poverty often limits the choices a family can make for the dinner table and is linked to many diet-related diseases. Food Bank provides both the education and nutritious options needed by charities and schools that serve our city’s most vulnerable. With 1 out of 6 children in NYC relying on soup kitchens and pantries for dinner, it’s imperative that comprehensive services be provided, ensuring health and wellness from the cradle through college and beyond.
History
The Bronx River went from a flourishing and beautiful resource to a contaminated conduit for industrial and residential wastes two centuries ago. In 1974, a small band of community activists formed Bronx River Restoration and began the arduous process of cleaning up and restoring the river. Their effort gained strength and numbers in 1997, when Partnerships for Parks convened the Bronx River Working Group and brought together more than 60 community organizations, public agencies and businesses committed to reclaiming the river and improving access to it throughout the Bronx. Efforts to restore the Bronx River took a tremendous step forward in 2001 when the Bronx River Working Group created the Bronx River Alliance as a permanent 501(c)(3) organization to continue this work for the long term. Working closely with the New York City Parks Department, which provides substantial in-kind support, we are headquartered within the Parks Department’s facility on the Bronx River Parkway.
COVID-19 Disclaimer: Note: Food Bank For New York City is grateful for the support we have received from passionate volunteers as we continue to mobilize resources to help New Yorkers in need across the five boroughs. However, we are now making the difficult decision to shift to paid temporary workers and will no longer accept volunteer assistance. This will allow us to maintain a safe environment for our clients with a regular, dedicated workforce, while also fueling our city during this challenging time and supporting New Yorkers who are currently out of work. We are also working with the city to identify additional support who can help with our growing needs, including our planned citywide pop-up food distributions.