The City Council\u2019s School Food Pantry Initiative will provide New York City students and their families with access to food and basic personal and feminine hygiene items at their schools through a one year pilot program<\/i><\/p>\n
CITY HALL<\/b> \u2013 Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council today announced $595,000 in funding for sixteen new school food pantries across all five boroughs, to continue the Council\u2019s investment in combating food insecurity in New York City.<\/p>\n
This initiative marks the first time that the City has invested in food pantries specifically within schools. In addition to offering food items that can be taken home, these school food pantries will also offer personal and feminine hygiene items \u2013 such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, tampons, etc. This builds upon the work that the City Council has done since last year, when it unanimously passed legislation proposed by Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland that provided funding for menstrual supplies to all public schools, prisons, and homeless shelters in New York City.<\/p>\n
\u201cThousands of students across New York City rely on schools to provide their nutritional needs for the day. Lacking access to these supplies can leave our children and young adults stressed and unable to focus on their education,\u201d said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito<\/b>. \u201cNo one should have to worry about having food and basic supplies. With food pantries in schools, thousands of students can rest easy knowing that they will be able to eat regular meals and obtain necessary living supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The City Council, the Department of Education, and Food Bank For New York City identified schools in high poverty neighborhoods with a significant meal gap that were willing to create a food and sundries pantry for their school communities. This collaboration will have a significant impact on children in particular because it will allow schools to fill gaps left by possible federal cuts to vital anti-hunger programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccess to menstrual hygiene products is essential to the success of young women in school. The City Council\u2019s School Food Pantry Initiative will not only fight hunger but will build upon our efforts to ensure menstrual equity for New York City youth,\u201d said Finance Chair and Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland<\/b>. \u201cI applaud Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for finding innovative ways to support young women and working families, and I thank the Food Bank for New York City for their support.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe health and wellness of our students is a critical foundation for success in the classroom and beyond and we\u2019re grateful for this partnership with the City Council and the Food Bank of New York to expand access to nutritious food and necessary personal hygiene items for thousands of families,\u201d said New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fari\u00f1a<\/b>. \u201cThe Community School model cultivates strong partnerships like these and is an essential part of our work to ensure welcoming and supportive environments for all students and families across the City.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFood Bank For New York City is very pleased to be partnering with the New York City Council and the Department of Education to launch 16 new campus pantries in schools across the five boroughs,\u201d said Margarette Purvis, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City<\/b>. \u201cWith 1 in 5 of our city\u2019s children relying on food pantries and soup kitchens, it is essential that we work together to provide innovative solutions to help families put more food on the table. Thank you to Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the entire New York City Council for continuing to prioritize support for food insecure New Yorkers and leading\u00a0 the way with such a bold new path.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thirteen of these sixteen schools are NYC Community Schools and help students succeed through eliminating learning barriers and ensuring equity and excellence for all families. Community Schools integrate academics, social services, health, youth development, and family engagement with access to critical programs and services like food pantries, vision screening, mentoring, expanded learning programs, adult education, and mental health counseling.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity Schools harness the power of many to provide students and their families with the opportunities they need to succeed,\u201d said Christopher Caruso, Executive Director of the Office of Community Schools<\/b>. \u201cThe partnership with the City Council and The Food Bank of New York, will help us fulfill one of the key components of the Community School model: ensuring that children are healthy and ready to learn.\u00a0 These schools are true neighborhood hubs and thousands of students and their families will now have greater access to healthy food and necessary hygiene supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n
List of Schools:<\/b><\/p>\n
Bronx<\/b><\/p>\n
DeWitt Clinton High School<\/p>\n
The Angelo Patri Middle School<\/p>\n
J.H.S. 022 Jordan L. Mott<\/p>\n
East Bronx Academy For The Future<\/p>\n
Brooklyn<\/b><\/p>\n
Juan Morel Campos Secondary School<\/p>\n
P.S. 297 Abraham Stockton<\/p>\n
P.S. 298 Betty Shabazz<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Collegiate: A College Board School<\/p>\n
Manhattan<\/b><\/p>\n
Mosaic Preparatory Academy<\/p>\n
Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts<\/p>\n
PS 4 The Duke Ellington School<\/p>\n
Queens<\/b><\/p>\n
P.S. 111 Jacob Blackwell<\/p>\n
J.H.S. 008 Richard S. Grossley<\/p>\n
P.S. 19 Marino Jeantet<\/p>\n
P.S. 197 The Ocean School<\/p>\n
Staten Island<\/b><\/p>\n
Port Richmond High School<\/p>\n
###<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The City Council\u2019s School Food Pantry Initiative will provide New York City students and their families with access to food and basic personal and feminine hygiene items at their schools through a one year pilot program<\/p>\n CITY HALL \u2013 Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council today announced $595,000 in funding for sixteen new school food pantries across all five boroughs, to continue the Council\u2019s investment in combating food insecurity in New York City.<\/p>\n …<\/p>\n