‘We will not let any New Yorker go hungry.’ Mayor says 2.6M meals have been provided in 3 weeks

As the fight against coronavirus rages on across New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging New Yorkers not to underestimate the problem of food.

News 12 Staff

Apr 7, 2020, 1:23 PM

Updated 1,486 days ago

Share:

As the fight against coronavirus rages on across New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging New Yorkers not to underestimate the problem of food.
He says in the last three weeks alone, New York City has provided 2.6 million meals to those in need.
He says with the growing rate of unemployment, many will be unsure of where there next meal will come from.
The mayor named Kathryn Garcia New York City’s “food czar.” Together with OEM, DOE and the Department for the Aging, Garcia has established a plan to feed New Yorkers.
Mayor de Blasio says no New Yorker will be turned away from getting a free meal. He says the city is asking young children and their parents to arrive at grab-and-go spots earlier in the day, and adults without children to go later in the day.
Those who are elderly or homebound and cannot go to the food banks can call 311 and schedule a food delivery.
According to the mayor, there are 435 sites across the city where people can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The mayor also thanked many people who are donating to help get meals for the health care workers on the front lines.
He says coffee company Lavazza has donated 60,000 bags of coffee for hospital workers. He also added that philanthropists Leon and Debra Black, along with the Mayor’s Fund, donated $10 million to help get food and supplies to health care workers and their families. They’re also committing to match any additional donations up to $10 million. Employees from Aramark will donate their time to assemble and deliver those packages.
"We are in a deep, deep fight, but New Yorkers know we can win this fight,” says Mayor de Blasio. "We will prevail. I have great faith with all the help were getting we'll get through this together.
 


More from News 12
2:45
Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

4:14
'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

1:48
Temperatures cool off heading into the weekend for NYC

Temperatures cool off heading into the weekend for NYC

1:55
PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

2:45
Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

0:43
2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

2:03
New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

0:32
NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

0:23
Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:27
Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

3:04
Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds again gathers at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:51
RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

1:46
Tenants weigh in on possible rent hikes for rent-stabilized homes

Tenants weigh in on possible rent hikes for rent-stabilized homes

1:38
Parks Department held community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

Parks Department held community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

1:27
Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash

Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash

1:53
Elected officials call on mayor to bring Staten Island ferry back to former Bay Ridge Pier

Elected officials call on mayor to bring Staten Island ferry back to former Bay Ridge Pier

0:31
Authorities arrest 31-year-old man in connection to fatal Williamsburg crash

Authorities arrest 31-year-old man in connection to fatal Williamsburg crash