NYC MAYOR DE BLASIO AND SPEAKER JOHNSON ANNOUNCE $25 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR FOOD PROVIDERS: MONEY WILL GO TO PROVIDERS AS THEY DEAL WITH CHALLENGES CAUSED BY COVID-19

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson today announced that the City will provide $25 million in emergency funding to emergency food providers across New York City. This funding is being allocated as part of a new, ongoing partnership between the de Blasio Administration and the City Council to help emergency food providers deal with the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic. 

“No one should have to question where their next meal is coming from. As we face this crisis head on, we remain committed to feeding all New Yorkers in need,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Providing emergency funding is crucial to keeping our food providers up and running. I thank Speaker Johnson for his advocacy and partnership in securing food resources for all New Yorkers.” 

“We 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 Speaker Corey Johnson. “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 Food Czar and Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia.

The City’s Food Czar team, overseen by Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, has been doing direct outreach to pantries to understand their needs, and this funding will cover critical immediate operating expenses such as increased food costs, additional staffing, new safety supplies, and the ability to deliver food items directly to seniors who are now homebound. More than 800 organizations citywide, including pantries, mobile pantries, soup kitchens and non-profit organizations, may be eligible to receive emergency funding for these critical operating expenses. The Food 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 these newly available emergency funds.

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 vulnerable populations in need through nyc.gov/GetFood. The additional funding for emergency food providers will ensure these vital organizations have the funding they need to stay open throughout this crisis and feed an unprecedented number of New Yorkers in need.  “Too 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,” said Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo. “As a member of the Council’s budget negotiating team I know firsthand how this Council has championed strengthening our city’s social safety net. Now, in the worst pandemic in over 100 years, we won’t 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,” said Council Member Mark Treyger.

“This $25 million in emergency funding will help feed thousands of New Yorkers in their time of great need. Emergency 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.  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,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm.

“Many 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,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. “Even 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,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz.

“This 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’s most vulnerable,” said Council Member Stephen Levin.Press Release.