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Food Bank For New York City

ABOUT 40 FOR GOOD

In honor of Food Bank For New York City’s 40th anniversary, we’ve teamed up with JetBlue to gift 40 hunger heroes with round-trip flight tickets!

These frontline heroes were selected from our vast member network of 800+ pantries, kitchens, and healthcare facilities for their dedication to serving our community.

Meet our contest winners and follow their inspiring stories from the frontlines to the airlines!

Jet Blue flight ticket contest winner Irena Younger hugging nominator Allison Deal of the JCCRP

OUR CONTEST WINNERS

The 40 winners were randomly selected and represent just a small fraction of the thousands of hunger heroes who serve as the driving force for our mission each day.

See the official list of 40 winners below:

  1. Adrian Milleton
  2. Ariana Williams
  3. Austin Thompson
  4. Brian Wexler
  5. Celeste Grimmes
  6. Dorila Ruiz
  7. Francis DeCaille
  8. Gerardo Cruz
  9. Goldie Joyner
  10. Henry Torani
  11. Ilya Yusupov
  12. Irena Younger
  13. Isamar Puello
  14. Joa Thomas
  15. Joan Bradley
  16. Jose Lopez Jr
  17. Josefina DeJesus
  18. Juan De La Cruz
  19. Kimberly Singh
  20. Leema Hasnoo
  21. Lois Frazier
  22. Madelin Reynoso
  23. Marcia Kresge
  24. Margie Bote
  25. Maria Emilia Pena
  26. Mario Caze
  27. Maritza Jimenez
  28. Merlene Turnbull
  29. Mohan Singh
  30. Orphan Rivera
  31. Ping Qui-Mc Lamb
  32. Randholf Andujar
  33. Rex Bailey
  34. Reynaldo Alicea
  35. Rodway Kydd
  36. Shirrell Felder Patterson
  37. Silvia Ibanez
  38. Stephanie Moshier
  39. Teresa Siri
  40. Valeriy Filipenk

MEET OUR HUNGER HEROES

Ready to smile from ear to ear? See the heartfelt reactions of our contest winners when Camesha Grant, VP of Community Impact & Investments, surprises them at work with the news below. Next, follow our YouTube page for more heartwrenching stories!

HASNOO

Leema Hasnoo was lost for words when she was awarded two round-trip flight tickets for her commitment to serving New Yorkers at the Zion Tabernacle FBH Church. Adoringly referred to as the “neighborhood governor” by peers, “Hassnoo” was nominated by college Debbine Murray for her kindness and unique ability to make those in need feel seen and understood. Watch her full reaction to reveal her next travel destination!

Watch the full video

IRENA

Irena Younger was brought to tears when our team presented her with JetBlue flight tickets amid her shift at the JCCRP. “She’s a superstar and cares tremendously about our clients,” said nominator Allison Deal, Executive Director of the JCCRP. “The food is important but it’s about more than just that. It’s the personal connection.” See her full reaction in our video below!

Watch the full video

FAQ

Find out more contest details below.

Hunger heroes include each and every person who serves on the frontlines within Food Bank For New York City’s vast member network of 800+ food pantries, soup kitchens, campus pantries, and healthcare agencies across the five boroughs.

FBNYC sent a formal email announcement with contest details to our network of leaders within our internal contact database prior to the contest start date.

To help select these hunger heroes, we turned to the New Yorkers who know them best – their coworkers, employees, colleagues, and friends. who submitted compelling testimonials of how their nominee goes above and beyond to serve our NYC community.

Nominators included anyone in Food Bank For New York City’s member network who wished to participate.

All winners were selected through a fair and impartial random election of all eligible submissions, ensuring everyone had an equal chance to win.

The contest officially ran from Aug 18 to Sept 3. There was a two-week window to submit nominations, open to any leader or individual who wished to participate.

 

 

Each of our 40 winners has been presented with two round-trip flight tickets, redeemable for travel to any destination JetBlue serves. A few exclusions apply.

TAKE ACTION

Feeling inspired by our hunger heroes’ stories? Join us in empowering them to continue their impactful work across the five boroughs.

VOLUNTEER

Support one of Food Bank’s volunteer projects.

Learn more

DONATE

Donate this Hunger Action Month and GrubHub will match your gift until Sept. 30!

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ADVOCATE

Join our Action Team to raise your voice in support of key anti-hunger policies.

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