As our office slowly fills with toys as part of the Metro Magic holiday toy drive, Metro will be partnering with several non-profits in the city to distribute the toys to needy New York City children.
One of the groups we’re working with is the Food Bank of New York City.
In the past 28 years since its founding, the Food Bank has grown beyond its initial mission to provide meals to those in need.
In addition to providing hundreds of thousands of meals daily, the Food Bank recently started an income support program, which includes food stamp outreach and free income-tax services.
“We’re working with banks to teach [people] how to save money,” said Margarette Purvis, president and CEO of the Food Bank. “It’s the same concept as when we first started. We’re responding to the needs of people.”
Purvis said it is important to realize the food bank was started by New Yorkers who saw a need in their city and took action. The nonprofit was founded by Liz Krueger, who went on to become a New York state senator.
The organization, which now serves an estimated 5.4 million meals each year, grew to become the largest food bank in the country.
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The food bank provides 400,000 free meals a day to hungry New Yorkers.
It serves more than 1,100 emergency food programs, senior centers and day care centers
In July 2007, FoodChange Inc. became a subsidiary of the Food Bank.
In 2008, it became the first organization to receive a second Hero Award from Robin Hood Foundation.
94 percent of donations go directly toward food distribution, acquisition and programs in all five boroughs.
