"I'm hungry!"
This exclamation from one of our clients this past weekend tells the whole story. Many New Yorkers are food insecure in the best of times. In these unsettling months of high unemployment and the shut down of many city and non-profit services, our most vulnerable neighbors are even more at risk, and many people who were living paycheck to paycheck are now out of work and unable to feed themselves or their families.
Our food pantry gives away hundreds of bags of groceries and fresh produce every month. Practicing strict social distancing and limiting the number of volunteers, we remain open, and our clients - those familiar and new to our door - are very grateful.
The gentleman who told us he was hungry also told us in beautiful terms how he appreciates that we have not forgotten him. We are blessed to serve him.
Here is where you come in. Our typical sources of food donations and funding are limited due to shelter in place (for example, schools and community groups are not meeting and doing food drives), and the fact that the parish which hosts us in their building is closed.
The best thing you can do now is give money so that we can buy the food from distributors at a discount. I'm doing this personal fundraising because I see the need up close, and plan to match every donation. Whatever you give will be doubled in impact.
You earn the reward of knowing you can help real people in need, right now. And my eternal gratitude.
Thank you for considering.