{"id":1385,"date":"2017-03-22T18:23:21","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T18:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=1385"},"modified":"2017-03-22T18:23:21","modified_gmt":"2017-03-22T18:23:21","slug":"council-speaker-melissa-mark-viverito-and-food-bank-for-new-york-city-highlight-successful-launch-of-citywide-school-food-pantry-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2017\/03\/22\/1385\/","title":{"rendered":"Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Food Bank For New York City Highlight Successful Launch of Citywide School Food Pantry Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"

16 Schools Across NYC Participate in Effort to Combat Food Insecurity and Provide City Students with Necessary Food and Hygiene Items<\/em><\/p>\n

Bronx, NY \u2013 <\/strong>Today, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, joined by Food Bank For New York City President and CEO Margarette Purvis, Department of Education Executive Director of Community Schools Chris Caruso and District 17 Council Member Rafael Salamanca, visited the East Bronx Academy for the Future High School to bring attention to the successful launch of the School Food Pantry Initiative.<\/p>\n

Announced in November 2016<\/a>, the School Food Pantry Initiative is the result of a collaboration between the New York City Council, Food Bank and the NYC Department of Education in an effort to identify schools in high-poverty communities that would benefit from an additional neighborhood pantry. Building on the Council\u2019s commitment to combat food insecurity, this initiative marks the first time the City has invested in pantries in schools. As today\u2019s visit underscored, the program \u2013 which has been operational since early 2017 \u2013 is providing thousands of students in 16 schools across the five boroughs with access to food, basic personal items and feminine hygiene products.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery element of a child\u2019s growth is predicated on their ability to remain cared for and well-fed,\u201d said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito<\/strong>. \u201cWhether entering elementary school or looking at graduating high school, no child should have to worry about where their next meal will come from, or how they might prepare themselves for tomorrow. Through the City Council\u2019s collaboration with Food Bank For New York City, this pilot program has already ensured that for thousands of students across the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity Schools are neighborhood hubs and strong partnerships are at the center, giving us the ability to provide families with access to things like healthy food and personal hygiene supplies,\u201d said New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fari\u00f1a<\/strong>. \u201cI am grateful for the ongoing support of the City Council and the Food Bank of New York and we will continue to work together to find innovative ways to expand health and wellness programs to improve outcomes for all students and families.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the last four years, the City Council has prioritized sustained and expanded funding for anti-hunger programs that support the 1.4 million New Yorkers who struggle with food insecurity annually. This has included successfully securing the expansion of Universal School Meals in stand-alone middle schools, and Breakfast in the Classroom in elementary schools, as well as increasing funding for the city’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP). In addition, the City Council has increased initiative funding applied toward the Citywide Food Pantries and Benefits Access Initiative and the DYCD Food Pantries Initiative. In November 2016, the Council announced $595,000 in funding for the 16 schools now hosting campus food pantries.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our city, more than one in four children is living in poverty. Food Bank For New York City is grateful for the support and partnership of the New York City Council and the Department of Education to create 16 new campus pantries that address the need for food and other essentials,\u201d said President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City Margarette Purvis<\/strong>. \u201cI thank Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the entire City Council for seeing the indignities that poverty inflicts upon children and families, and taking decisive and effective steps to address them \u2013 this is the essence of leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know many educators throughout our schools worry that when students go home, many may go to bed without dinner, and that\u2019s tragic,\u201d said District 17 Council Member Rafael Salamanca<\/strong>. \u201cThe campus pantries work to help alleviate that problem, which will help students \u2013 regardless of what grade \u2013 achieve more in the classroom. That\u2019s why I support them.\u201d<\/p>\n

13 of the 16 facilities hosting food pantries are classified as Community Schools. Community Schools, including East Bronx Academy for the Future High School, represent a partnership between school staff, families, youth, and the local community to raise student achievement by ensuring that children are physically, emotionally, and socially prepared to learn. Community Schools act as neighborhood centers by providing access to critical programs and services such as health care, mentoring, adult education and \u2013 through the School Food Pantry program \u2013 food pantries.<\/p>\n

Participating School Food Pantry Schools:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bronx<\/em><\/p>\n