MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN — On a cold Tuesday in December, 21 companies stepped away from their desks and into the heart of midtown Manhattan—not for another meeting, but to pack meals for their neighbors.
Center415 transformed into a pop-up warehouse as volunteers lined up at eight tables to build 50,000 meals for New Yorkers across all five boroughs. On December 9, founding partner and long-time supporter Delta Air Lines joined forces with HSBC, Hiscox USA, AES – which generously donated the space – and The Boxery, who provided all 5,000 boxes to make it happen.
This was Food Bank For NYC’s first-ever Holiday Food Bank 2 Go. Since the early 2010s, Food Bank has brought its warehouse to corporate partners across the city. This time, Food Bank flipped the model—bringing everyone together under one roof to take collective action against hunger.
“Holiday Food Bank 2 Go brings corporate partners together in one moment—creating immediate impact while giving employees a hands-on way to give back,” said Victoria Nastri, Senior Director of Corporate Giving and Sponsorships.
Twenty-one companies answered the call, including Disney/ABC News 7, Deutsche Bank, Tapestry Foundation, and MidOcean Partners.
Hunger Doesn’t Take a Holiday
The timing couldn’t be more critical. During government shutdowns, Food Bank For NYC’s member network has seen a 90% spike in need. Grocery prices keep rising. The need is right around the corner.
“At a time when federal uncertainty puts millions of meals at risk, the role of our corporate partners is more important than ever,” said Janis Robinson, Vice President of Institutions and Partnerships at Food Bank For NYC. “When companies unite like this, their combined time and resources create a powerful force for stability for New Yorkers facing hunger.”
Leslie Gordon, President and CEO, reminded volunteers that behind every box is a person – and a story.
She spoke of Darryl, a veteran who takes meals back to his building to feed other veterans. Fashina, a tile setter “borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.” Gloria, a former home health aide who moves from pantry to pantry with two oxygen tanks on a cart—because for her, accessing food is a job with a 6-hour timer.
“Hunger doesn’t take a holiday,” she said. “It’s 365 days a year here in New York City.”
In the deepest parts of the South Bronx, one in three kids face food insecurity—some of the worst rates in the country. Across the city, 1.4 million New Yorkers are food insecure. But volunteers didn’t come to dwell on statistics. They came to do something about it.
Warehouse Energy in Midtown
The room buzzed. Holiday music played. Teams passed items down assembly lines, packing each box with the makings of a real holiday meal: shelf-stable milk, vegetable oil, stuffing mix, chicken gravy, lentils, potato flakes, pumpkin, pears, cranberry sauce, and Goodles mac and cheese.
“The morning team built 2,500 boxes,” Leslie announced with a grin. “This is a serious competition. You got to bring it.”
The afternoon shift brought it. Volunteers sang along to the music, cheered each other on, made it a party—but one with purpose.
Pilbeam, a New Yorker for seven years who lives just footsteps from Center415, added: “It’s not that big of a commitment out of our day, but it means we can make connections. There are 50 different people here from HSBC from departments we may not work with day-to-day. It’s great to step away from the desk and connect.”
Nicolas Acosta, a Queens native and marketing manager at Hiscox USA: “Just a little bit of time spent here, you’re doing so much good. The work Food Bank For NYC does is tremendous. It was an easy yes from me.”
The fun part? “The friendly competition, seeing how quickly we could pack everything, spending time with coworkers and having a laugh around the assembly line.”
For Nicolas, it’s personal. “Food is how families gather, connect and share time together. That’s how it always was for me, and that’s why I’m passionate about making sure other families have that same opportunity.”
Impact Beyond a Single Day
Food Bank 2 Go is designed for immediacy. No advance training is required, and the food packed during each activation is routed to communities within days.
“What makes this different is the tangible impact,” Jessica Presedo, Senior Director, Corporate Engagement at Food Bank For NYC said. “You know the food you’re packing today is going to be routed out to communities later this week and put on the plate of a New Yorker.”
That immediacy matters during the holidays. “People have an image of what the holidays should look like—gathering around a table,” she said. “If you don’t have the items that make it feel like that special meal, you don’t want people to feel forgotten.”
The biggest takeaway? “Your impact extends beyond a single day. These thousands of boxes will impact thousands of families. It’s truly a ripple effect.”
“I hope the volunteers come away with a sense of pride,” Victoria said.
The Invitation Stands
For companies wondering how to get involved, fill out the interest form on our webpage. We can start small.
The first Holiday Food Bank 2 Go proved something New Yorkers already know: when it comes to showing up for neighbors, this city doesn’t hesitate. Twenty-one companies. Two shifts. Fifty thousand meals packed.
Because hunger doesn’t take a holiday. But neither does New York’s spirit of showing up for each other.
