Dear volunteer,

April 18–24 marks Volunteer Appreciation Week, and I want to thank you for giving your time to the Food Bank For New York City — volunteers are an essential part of our year-round operations, and I am so grateful for your commitment.  

Last year, the Food Bank had the privilege of hosting 15,000 volunteers — you repacked food at our Bronx warehouse; served hot meals at the Community Kitchen & Food Pantry of West Harlem; helped prepare tax returns for New York’s working poor; and lent your skills to CookShop classrooms and special events throughout the five boroughs. You and your fellow volunteers collectively contributed 75,000 hours of service, saving the Food Bank hundreds of thousands of dollars. Those funds, in turn, mean that more resources go directly to hungry New Yorkers — each dollar we save can help provide five meals to New Yorkers in need.

You are making a difference for families and individuals in New York City, and your support couldn’t come at a better time: 93% of soup kitchens and food pantries are seeing an increase in first-time visitors. The Food Bank is the major supplier of food to our citywide network of approximately 1,000 food assistance programs, helping meet our neighbors’ immediate needs. Free tax assistance and food stamp outreach lay the groundwork for financial independence, and nutrition and health education helps New Yorkers access healthy, affordable food.

Your enthusiasm and generosity are an inspiration, and I am proud to be working alongside you in the fight to end hunger in New York City. 

Sincerely,  

Lucy Cabrera, Ph.D., CAE

President and CEO