NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Food Bank For New York City, the city's major hunger relief organization, is launching its 10th annual monthlong Go Orange to End Hunger campaign, with lead presenting sponsor Barilla, during September's Hunger Action Month. Go Orange is an award-winning campaign owned by Food Bank. The organization was the first in the nation to embrace the color orange as the symbol of hunger awareness. Go Orange has since been recognized as a citywide call to action for all New Yorkers to get involved and take action in support of the 1.5 million New Yorkers who rely on Food Bank For New York City and its citywide network of charities.
Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank For New York City's programs and services. During the past year, the organization has seen the need for emergency food in our city increase while the resources required to combat hunger and poverty have decreased. The number of meals that vulnerable New Yorkers are missing due to lack of sufficient resources tops a staggering 241 million, representing an enormous Meal Gap. The Meal Gap, adapted as the City's official measure of food insecurity, has now been geographically mapped to reveal where hunger lives - enabling Food Bank to allocate resources to areas with the highest need across New York City. Go Orange to End Hunger encourages all New Yorkers to take action and assist Food Bank in meeting those needs.
"As a leader in the city's anti-hunger response, we are committed to ensuring a better understanding of hunger's reality and an improved response to its ending," said Margarette Purvis, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City. "With the city's safety net facing increasing threats and unmet need, people are suffering citywide. A Meal Gap of 241 million meals is unacceptable and we cannot resolve this alone. That's why Go Orange To End Hunger is so important. We encourage all New Yorkers to get involved and become part of the solution."
"Barilla is proud to sponsor and participate in Go Orange to End Hunger," said Jean-Pierre Comte, President of Barilla, Region Americas. "It is our mission to provide healthy foods that are good for the planet and the communities that we serve, and encourage all New Yorkers to join Barilla and the Food Bank in their commitment to closing the Meal Gap."
Individuals, corporations, restaurants, retailers, volunteers, and celebrities are committed to Going Orange during September's Hunger Action Month with a number of citywide Go Orange efforts, kicking off on September 1. There are numerous ways to get involved:
Food Bank will also have a visible Times Square presence. Thomson Reuters and NASDAQ have donated space to Go Orange on their renowned digital billboards for the month of September which will feature programs and photographs of families served by Food Bank. Images featured on the billboards will include powerful portraits of New Yorkers as documented by photographer Joey O'Loughlin, who has partnered with Food Bank For New York City to reveal the hidden face of hunger in New York City.
Go Orange to End Hunger is made possible by Barilla, Lead Presenting Sponsor; Delta Air Lines, Supporting Sponsor; and Deutsche Bank and Lavazza, Campaign Sponsors. For additional information, volunteer opportunities and activations, go to www.foodbanknyc.org/GoOrange
About Food Bank For New York City:
Food Bank For New York City has been the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years.Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank for food and other resources. Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Through its network ofmore than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 64 million free meals for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank For New York City's income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $150 million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence. In addition, Food Bank's nutrition education programs and services empower more than 275,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget.
To learn more about how you can help, please visit foodbanknyc.org. Follow us on Facebook (FoodBank4NYC), Twitter (@FoodBank4NYC) and Instagram (FoodBank4NYC). To donate, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/donate. To become a partner, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/partner. To volunteer, visit volunteer.foodbanknyc.org. To advocate, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/advocate. To host a Virtual Food Drive, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/vfd. To receive Food Bank For New York City's CEO E-Newsletter, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/email.
Media Contacts:
Shruti Sehgal, shruti.sehgal@berlinrosen.com, 646-200-5283
Carol Schneider, cschneider@foodbanknyc.org, 212-566-7855, ext. 2231
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SOURCE Food Bank For New York City
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