Helping Feed the Hungry in our Communities
This year, more than ever, our communities are hurting. Food banks across the New York Tri-State report that demand has increased by more than 30 percent. Poverty's reach has widened. Recent studies have discovered that people will cut back on the number of meals they eat - and choose less-expensive, less-nutritious food - before they stop paying the mortgage or light bill, or skip repairs on a car that's needed for work. The good news is: People want to help.
This season, once again, RXR has teamed up with a number of charities through out the Tri-State region to help feed under-served communities.
Some of the charities supported by RXR are:
Island Harvest
Fighting hunger and touching lives, Island Harvest serves as the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it, supplying hundreds of community-based nonprofit organizations on Long Island with critical food support to help stem the advancing tide of hunger in our communities. Island Harvest has delivered more than 60 million pounds of food, supplementing nearly 47 million meals, since its inception in 1992. In support of its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, the organization is actively involved in educational and hunger awareness programs to inform the public about the insidious but often unrecognized problem of hunger, even in one of the wealthiest regions of the country, and how individuals, businesses, schools and commercial food establishments can make a difference. Island Harvest is a member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest).
Community Soup Kitchen
Community Soup Kitchen’s mission is to provide nutritious meals in a warm, safe, and caring environment, free of charge, no questions asked, to anyone who comes seeking nourishment. As part of their hospitality they also encourage and assist their guests in accessing community resources, services, and educational programs.
The Community Food Bank of New Jersey
What was to become the Community FoodBank of New Jersey began when founder and Executive Director, Kathleen DiChiara, began distributing groceries out of the trunk of her car in 1975. The FoodBank was soon established the same year as part of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Today, the FoodBank distributes over 23 million pounds of food and groceries a year, ultimately serving 1,656 non-profit programs including 436 programs served by its Partner Distribution Organizations (PDOs). Through their combined efforts, they assist three-quarters of a million low-income people in 18 of New Jersey’s 21 counties.
A designated 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Community Foodbank of New Jersey is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks, as well as a member of the New Jersey Federation of food banks which includes their Southern Branch, the Food Bank of South Jersey, and three Partner Distribution Organizations (PDOs): FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and NORWESCAP Food Bank.
Food Bank for Westchester
The Food Bank for Westchester solicits and administers donations from both the public and private sector, distributing food through local agencies to meet the needs of individuals and families. The Food Bank for Westchester is the supply and support center for approximately 200 frontline hunger relief member agencies throughout Westchester. In addition to delivering 5 to 8 tons of food per day, The Food Bank delivers approximately 5 million pounds of food annually. The Food Bank proudly states “Over ninety cents of every dollar contributed to The Food Bank for Westchester directly feeds the hungry. “
The Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and the Homeless
Without The Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and the Homeless nearly one quarter million Westchester residents could go hungry each day. The Westchester Coalition For the Hungry and Homeless, Inc. solicits and obtains funding from the government and private agencies, corporations and individuals.
Funds are then provided in the form of grants to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. The organization is multi-faceted and shares information and services with providers; connects volunteers to programs needing help; promotes legislation for systematic changes; and collects data for provision to government agencies.
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc. is lower Fairfield County’s primary hunger-relief organization. They provide food to about 100 non-profit agencies and programs that serve low income people in their six town service area through bags of groceries and congregate meals. These include soup kitchens, food pantries, child care programs, homeless shelters, senior centers, domestic violence safe houses, and rehabilitation programs.
During 2008, The Food Bank supplied 1,205,277 pounds of food to 150,391 individuals (unduplicated within each agency) at a savings to their member agencies of $1.9 million.
Concern for our neighbors and our communities will help ease the way through the food crisis. Each of us can help by donating time, donating food, and getting involved.
Food collection took place at the following RXR properties during the critical holiday season:
Long Island:
- 1305 Walt Whitman Road, Melville
- 48 South Service Road, Melville
- 58 South Service Road, Melville
- 68 South Service Road, Melville
- 395 North Service Road, Melville
- 50 Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Mitchel Field
- The Omni, 333 Earle Ovington Blvd, Mitchel Field
- RXR Plaza, Uniondale
New Jersey:
- 51 JFK Parkway, Short Hills
- 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills
- 100 Executive Drive, West Orange
- 200 Executive Drive, West Orange
- 300 Executive Drive, West Orange
- 10 Rooney Circle, West Orange
- 44 Whippany Road, Morristown
- 1 Giralda Farms, Madison
- 7 Giralda Farms, Madison
Westchester/Connecticut:
- 660 White Plains Road, Tarrytown
- 580 White Plains Road, Tarrytown
- 560 White Plains Road, Tarrytown
- 555 White Plains Road, Tarrytown
- 505 White Plains Road, Tarrytown
- 80 Grasslands Road, Elmsford
- 100 Grasslands Road, Elmsford
- 225 High Ridge Road, Stamford
