{"id":1933,"date":"2020-04-10T18:02:42","date_gmt":"2020-04-10T18:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=1933"},"modified":"2020-04-10T18:02:42","modified_gmt":"2020-04-10T18:02:42","slug":"speaker-johnson-and-mayor-de-blasio-announce-25-million-in-emergency-funding-for-food-providers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2020\/04\/10\/1933\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Johnson and Mayor de Blasio Announce $25 Million in Emergency Funding for Food Providers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Money will go to providers as they deal with challenges caused by COVID-19<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEW YORK\u2014\u00a0<\/strong>Speaker Corey Johnson and Mayor Bill de Blasio today\u00a0announced that the City will provide $25 million in emergency funding to\u00a0emergency food providers\u00a0across New York City. This funding is being allocated as part of a new, ongoing partnership between the de Blasio Administration and the City Council\u00a0to help\u00a0emergency food providers\u00a0deal with the challenges of\u00a0COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thank the de Blasio administration for moving quickly on the Council’s calls for help for food providers two weeks ago. This funding, combined with the $25 million the state pledged in response to the Council’s request, will pay for over 19 million meals. We must continue to do everything we can to prevent a hunger crisis in New York City. No one should be food insecure in the richest city in the United States,” said\u00a0Speaker Corey Johnson.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one should have to question where their next meal is coming from. As we face this crisis head on, we remain\u00a0committed to feeding all New Yorkers in need,\u201d said\u00a0Mayor Bill de Blasio<\/strong>. “Providing emergency funding is crucial to keeping our food providers up and running. I thank Speaker Johnson for his advocacy and partnership\u00a0in\u00a0securing food resources for all New Yorkers.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

“During this crisis, New York City’s food pantries have been vital partners, and I’m glad that even in a difficult time, we are able to support them. Any New Yorker can find a map of local pantries and other options at NYC.gov\/GetFood, and I look forward to continuing to work with these pantries to get food to people in need,”said\u00a0Food Czar and Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The City’s\u00a0Food Czar team,\u00a0overseen by Commissioner Kathryn Garcia,\u00a0has been doing direct outreach to pantries to understand their needs, and this funding will cover critical\u00a0immediate\u00a0operating expenses such as\u00a0increased\u00a0food\u00a0costs,\u00a0additional\u00a0staffing,\u00a0new safety supplies, and\u00a0the ability to deliver food items directly to seniors who are now homebound.\u00a0More than 800 organizations citywide, including pantries, mobile pantries, soup kitchens and non-profit organizations, may be eligible to receive\u00a0emergency funding\u00a0for these critical operating expenses. The\u00a0Food Czar team, in partnership with New York City Human Resources Administration\/Department of Social Services, will begin outreach to let food pantries know how to access\u00a0these\u00a0newly available emergency\u00a0funds.<\/p>\n

The City also has several emergency food programs underway, including DOE Grab-and-go meals at over 400 sites across the city that are open to all, senior meal deliveries, and deliveries to\u00a0vulnerable\u00a0populations in need through nyc.gov\/GetFood. The additional funding for emergency food providers will ensure these\u00a0vital\u00a0organizations have the funding they need to stay open throughout this crisis and feed\u00a0an unprecedented number of\u00a0New Yorkers in need.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many New Yorkers were struggling with food insecurity even before COVID-19. This pandemic has made a bad situation cataclysmic, particularly in the low-income communities of color that we know are getting hit the hardest by the virus. The Council is proud of the work we have done and continue to do to support our food pantries, and grateful to the de Blasio administration for this emergency funding. Our city has a long road ahead, but this is a great start,\u201d said\u00a0Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a member of the Council\u2019s budget negotiating team I know firsthand how this Council has championed strengthening our city\u2019s social safety net. Now, in the worst pandemic in over 100 years, we won\u2019t allow that safety net to collapse and compromise the food security of New Yorkers. This emergency food assistance spearheaded by Speaker Johnson will go a long way to ensure no one goes hungry. No one,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Mark Treyger<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis $25 million in emergency funding will help feed thousands of New Yorkers in their time of great need.\u00a0Emergency food providers have been working around the clock to ensure that low income families, seniors, people with disabilities and other at-risk New Yorkers receive nutritious meals on a regular basis.\u00a0 Their resources have been nearly exhausted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that is why the City is taking swift action today. This funding will allow service providers to remain open so that they can continue to serve NYC families throughout this crisis. I commend Speaker Johnson and Mayor de Blasio for rising to the occasion by prioritizing this effort,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Daniel Dromm.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMany of our residents are experiencing food insecurity as we continue to grapple with the effects of COVID-19 in our neighborhoods. Our communities are struggling from financial hardships brought on by the pandemic and food providers are experiencing challenges in meeting the increased demand with limited funding and limited resources. It is imperative for us as a city to support our food pantries, soup kitchens, non-profit organizations, and other essential workers that are on the front lines during this crisis as they provide meals to millions of food insecure New Yorkers. I commend Speaker Johnson and the administration for their leadership and commitment to supporting food providers across the five boroughs,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEven in normal times, our food pantries operate on the edge. Our current health emergency is pushing our food pantries beyond their capabilities. This emergency funding is critical to helping these providers at this difficult time, and I thank Speaker Johnson for prioritizing this issue, and Mayor de Blasio for quickly making it happen,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Karen Koslowitz.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis crisis is putting an enormous strain on the food providers we rely on to care for our most vulnerable, and our city government must help them in this time of great need. I thank Speaker Johnson and my Council colleagues for being fierce advocates for our food pantries, and I thank the de Blasio Administration for working with us to protect the City\u2019s most vulnerable,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Stephen Levin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is clear that this pandemic hits hardest in low-income communities already struggling to put food on the table. We must act fast in order to help food insecure families as we are committed to aiding them for the long run,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Ritchie Torres.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Garcia for working with the Council to provide $25 million in critical emergency funding to our food pantries and providers. COVID-19 continues to exacerbate so many of the inequities of our city, including food insecurity, and this funding is the kind of investment that will help us get through this crisis so that we can begin to address the larger challenges that keep millions of New Yorkers wondering where their next meal may come from. I look forward to continuing to work with the Speaker and the de Blasio administration to support the incredible organizations that are working around the clock in my District and beyond to feed families in need,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Carlina Rivera.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThousands of New Yorkers rely on food pantries to feed themselves and their families in times of need. During this\u00a0crisis, I have witnessed food pantries struggling to have enough food to meet the needs of the an increasing number of people. This emergency funding will help to ensure that food pantries, soup kitchens and others have the resources they need to continue to meet critical needs in our neighborhoods. I thank Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Johnson for making this funding available in the midst of this current economic and public health crisis,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Debi Rose.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have all witnessed how devastating this pandemic has been. Like mine, many communities have struggled with food access for years. COVID-19 has only tripled this need. This emergency infusion of funds is a measure that I support wholeheartedly. Emergency feeding programs have been working hard before COVID-19. As the last line of defense for families in need, it is critical that we provide support to the families of this city,\u201d said\u00a0Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMet Council and City Harvest have been proud to lead this emergency campaign to make sure New Yorkers have food during this food security crisis. Now, thanks to this $25 million commitment by Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Johnson, we are going to be ready to face it head on. COVID-19 has already caused massive damage to the food pantry system and this funding will go a long way towards not only stabilizing it, but making sure we can meet the demands expected of us in the coming months. New Yorkers should know that we are working around the clock to make sure everyone who wants a meal can get one. New Yorkers always pull together in tough times and this budget commitment reaffirms that we are going to do everything possible to help our communities,\u201d\u00a0said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest & David Greenfield, CEO of Met Council.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFood Bank For New York City thanks Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson and the entire New York City Council for their leadership in moving swiftly to ensure emergency funds are available to organizations fighting on the frontlines to protect our neighbors from hunger as we weather this crisis together,\u201d said\u00a0Nicholas Buess, Associate Director, Mobilization & Policy at Food Bank For New York City.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cSince the start of the COVID-19 crisis, Food Bank\u2019s network of emergency food and community partners have been working tirelessly to address the growing and changing needs within communities across the five boroughs. These funds will help us ensure more meals are available to New Yorkers, including many who are struggling with food insecurity for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenges from coronavirus\/COVID are overwhelming. Making sure New Yorkers have nutritious food is basic and critical. This $25 million commitment will go a long way in this time of need. This is another example of our city’s compassion and caring. We are proud of our city\u2019s response,” said\u00a0Msgr. Kevin Sullivan of Catholic Charities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Citymeals on Wheels applauds Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Johnson for recognizing the critical role food pantries and emergency food providers are playing at this critical time,” said\u00a0Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals on Wheel<\/strong>s. “We are nourishing those most at risk for Covid-19 and keeping the most vulnerable New Yorkers from slipping into malnutrition. This emergency funding will help ensure this vital safety net remains intact during this crisis.”<\/p>\n

\u201cGod\u2019s Love We Deliver thanks Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Johnson, and the entire City Council for this critical food and nutrition support during this crisis. This funding will help all food and nutrition providers meet the urgent need of those seeking food and meals during these uncertain times. Our work is as important as ever, as our clients are New Yorkers who are at greatest risk for COVID-19, mostly elderly and all living with underlying chronic and severe medical conditions,\u201d says\u00a0God\u2019s Love We Deliver President & CEO Karen Pearl.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe nutritious home-delivered meals God\u2019s Love cooks are critical to their health and well-being, and help them stay at home and out of the hospital. This emergency funding ensures that our ovens can stay hot, our vans can stay on the roads, and our clients can continue to receive the medically tailored nutrition \u2013 and love \u2013 they receive with each delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Money will go to providers as they deal with challenges caused by COVID-19<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

NEW YORK\u2014\u00a0<\/strong>Speaker Corey Johnson and Mayor Bill de Blasio today\u00a0announced that the City will provide $25 million in emergency funding to\u00a0emergency food providers\u00a0across New York City. This funding is being allocated as part of a new, ongoing partnership between the de Blasio Administration and the City Council\u00a0to help\u00a0emergency food providers\u00a0deal with the challenges of\u00a0COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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