New York Common Pantry: an Award-Winning Solution to Hunger
The Largest community-based food pantry in New York State Announces annual ‘Fill the Bag Benefit’ at Gotham Hall in New York City on March 8, 2016
New York Common Pantry (NYCP) is pleased to announce its 2016 annual ‘Fill the Bag” Benefit will be held at Gotham Hall in New York City on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. www.nycommonpantry.org/
New York Common Pantry dedicated to reducing hunger throughout New York City, while promoting dignity and self-sufficiency. NYCP works toward the reduction of hunger and food insecurity through an array of programs that help establish long-term independence for those it serves. Since opening in 1980, as a small neighborhood pantry serving 30 families, NYCP has become one of New York City’s most innovative emergency food providers, offering meals and support services to nearly 400,000 individuals a year. The pantry serves up to 2,000 families a week, redistributing about 44,000 pounds of produce each week. NYCP has served nearly 3,000,000 meals this year!
In October 2015, New York Common Pantry received the coveted Gold Prize for management excellence from the New York Community Trust 2015 Nonprofit Excellence Awards. Now in its ninth year, the Awards program recognizes outstanding management practices of nonprofits based New York City, Long Island and Westchester.
“To be recognized as a leader in our sector by The New York Community Trust Nonprofit Excellence Awards is an honor and we are thrilled to be chosen as one of the three winning nonprofits for the 2015 award,” said Stephen Grimaldi, Executive Director of New York Common Pantry. “As we continue to expand our work, New York Common Pantry remains steadfast in our mission to continue to improve the lives New Yorkers in need by providing dignity and self-sufficiency and determined to maintain our level of excellence.” This March, it is NYCP’s hope to exceed the $700,000 raised during last year’s ‘Fill the Bag” Benefit, so it may continue to accomplish these goals.
NYCP’s “Fill the Bag” Benefit will kick off with a silent auction that goes live online on February 24th. In additional to the silent auction, there will be a live auction on the evening of the Benefit, March 8th, conducted by the renowned auctioneer Lydia Wickliffe Fenet. As well as auctioneering charity benefits for Christie’s Auction House, Ms. Fenet is Christie’s senior vice president, international director of Strategic Partnerships.
Cheryl Wills, nationally recognized award-winning journalist at NY 1 News, will be Mistress of Ceremonies for this event. Sara Moss, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and member of NYCP’s Board of Directors, will present The Estée Lauder Companies Distinguished Volunteer Award to NYCP Board member and former Board Chair, Sherrell Andrews. The Corporate Partner Award will be presented this year to White & Case by NYCP Chair Michael Fitzsimons.
The evening’s co-chairs are Shannon Tyree Brown and Margaret Sung; the Honorary Chair is Linda E. Holt, and Dinner Chairs are Shannon and Seamus Brown, Candice and John Frawley, Annie and Ben Huneke, Claudia and Stephen Jury, Doreen S. Morales, Ruth Horowitz and Michael Nachman, Didi and Oscar Schafer, Margaret Sung and Michael Schmidtberger, and Wendy A. Stein and Bart Friedman.
New York Common Pantry uses a whole-person approach; through the distribution of nutritious, fresh food pantry packages with Choice Pantry and a hearty balanced breakfast and dinner through the Hot Meals program. Included in the food provision program is an increasing number of NYCP vans that traverse Manhattan to pick up food that otherwise would be wasted. NYCP goes to the source by addressing the causes of food insecurity through case management services with Help 365. Together they help Pantry visitors access resources, while Project Dignity helps to bring the same resources to homeless visitors. The third element in its whole-person approach is education offered through the Live Healthy! Eat Smart New York program that teaches children, adults and seniors about the importance of a nutritionally sound diet and active living, as well as providing them with the skills necessary to make healthier choices for their families. NYCP’s whole-person approach is crucial for meeting the needs and goals of hunger reduction, and it works tirelessly as an activist, advocate, and educator for those who need it most.
As their help network continually expands, NYCP has established two brand new centers in the Bronx determined to fight hunger and increase nutrition education among low-income seniors. To assist this struggling, yet vital demographic, NYCP has partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture and the New York State Department of Health to establish Nourish, a Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) focused on seniors. This new location has already assisted hundreds of individuals since its official opening in February. A nearby warehouse allows NYCP to transfer food to delivery vans for distribution at over 70 community partner sites around the city. When fully operational, the program is expected to reach 13,504 seniors each month.
New York Common Pantry fills over 14,000 volunteer spots annually to unload food deliveries, bag produce, distribute pantry packages, and serve breakfast and dinner. Volunteers provide nearly 45% of its labor hours, making it possible to reach many more individuals in need.
New York Common Pantry’s annual fundraiser ‘Fill the Bag Benefit’ will be held at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway at 36th Street) in New York City on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
Please visit the following link for more information on New York Common Pantry: Fill the Bag Benefit and how to purchase tickets: http://benefitoffice.org/nycp/
New York Common Pantry is located 8 East 109th Street, New York, New York 10029.
For more information, please visit: www.nycommonpantry.org
Press Contacts: Sally Fischer Public Relations (212) 246-2977
Sally Fischer, sally@sallyfischerpr.com
Cynthia Brody, cynthia@sallyfischerpr.com
Listing Information for New York Common Pantry: Fill the Bag Benefit on March 8
DATE: Tuesday, March 8th, 2016
TIME: 6:00PM
EVENT: New York Common Pantry:” Fill the Bag” Benefit (Reception, Dinner and Auction)
New York Common Pantry: Fill the Bag Benefit is an annual fundraising event for NYCP, which is dedicated to reducing hunger throughout NYC, while promoting dignity and self-sufficiency.
LOCATION: Gotham Hall
1356 Broadway at 36th Street, NYC 10018
Ticket Sales: at http://benefitoffice.org/nycp/
Ticket Price: $600-$2,500
Mistress of
Ceremonies: Cheryl Wills, nationally recognized award-
winning journalist for Time Warner Cable
NY 1 News
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