Celebrity trainer, choreographer, and Broadway dancer Isaac Boots knows the responsibility that comes with loving this city. While volunteering at Food Bank For NYC's Community Kitchen and Pantry, Isaac reflects on his journey: "I grew up on food stamps. I live a very different life now." For Isaac, supporting neighbors in need isn't optional—"It's what being a New Yorker is."  He reminds us that food insecurity can affect anyone: "You can have everything one day and it can be stripped away quick."

Volunteer today and experience what Isaac calls "the best way to spend an afternoon" while giving back to the city we love.

Transcript:

Isaac Boots:

New York is New York, baby. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

You instantly feel that electricity here in New York. It’s a melting pot of creativity, of artistry, of cultures. That’s what was so exciting to me.

And I think when we are reminded of how important it is to take care of the city you love.

Insecurity in any sense of the word. It’s a fine line.

Food is basic. This is basic human decency in my opinion. Any sort of arrogant feeling, oh, that could never be me, is a myth. You can have everything one day and it can be stripped away quick.

And the one thing that will hold true, the one thing that will stand by you is being a good person. I grew up on food stamps. I live a very different life now. But I can never forget that and I can never forget who that little boy was?

So of course, I’m glad to donate time and to donate money and to spread the word for something that is the pulse of New York, you know, and we’re all in it together. It’s what being a New Yorker is. This is so nice, Dora. So get your booty to Food Bank for New York City.

We have so much fun here. It is filled with joy and laughter and community and gratitude.

It’s the best way to spend an afternoon–I mean it.

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Food Bank For New York City is NYC’s largest hunger-relief organization. For more than 40 years, we’ve been empowering every New Yorker to achieve food security for good. Together with our member network of nearly 800 soup kitchens and food pantries, we provide fresh produce, culturally relevant food, SNAP assistance and nutrition education to nearly every neighborhood in all five boroughs. Learn more or get involved at foodbanknyc.org.

Media Contact

Stefanie Shuman
Director, Media Relations
sshuman@foodbanknyc.org