SOURCE: Morillo, Elly. “‘Service before self.’ Food Bank for NYC tackles food insecurity, helps veterans across the city” News12 Brooklyn, Nov. 7, 2023.
Did you know veterans experience double the rate of food insecurity than the national average?
With over 800+ food pantries across New York City’s five boroughs, 11 of which specifically supporting our veterans, Food Bank For NYC is dedicated to serving veterans all year round.
As Veterans Day quickly approaches, News12 Brooklyn interviewed our very own Kwadwo, a 20-year Army veteran who now works at the Hunts Point Warehouse in the Bronx, to highlight how local veterans are giving back to their community.
As a native New Yorker and Bronx resident, he says that joining Food Bank For New York City has given him a renewed sense of purpose by “doing something not just for the country, but for my community.”
“Even when we deliver food and we drive up to the pantries, just the reaction on people’s faces – you know, the embracing. Sometimes they even give us hugs, which is totally out of the norm, especially for New Yorkers,” Kwadwo tells News12.
News12 also spoke with our Associate Director of Operations Ronald Olaizoia, who shed a light on how Food Bank’s mission resonates with his core values as an Air Force veteran.
“Putting service before self is one of the core values in the Air Force, and that’s something that we do here, you know, providing services, providing impact. Making sure we’re putting our organization in the right places to provide,” Ronald said.
Watch Kwadwo and Ronald’s interview with News12 Brooklyn to catch the full story.
