New York Giants: “It Takes a Village”

New York Giants linebacker Dyontae Johnson and defensive end Rakeem Nuñez-Roches know firsthand what it means to overcome challenges early in life. From Johnson's years in foster care to Nuñez-Roches' experiences of "going without" in Belize, both athletes understand the importance of community support.  While volunteering at the Community Kitchen and Pantry, "It takes a village," says Nuñez-Roches, reflecting on how organizations like Food Bank For NYC helped him through difficult times. Johnson emphasizes the "domino effect" of giving back: "It changed somebody's life just like that… They could help somebody else."

Volunteer today and be part of the village that lifts up New Yorkers in need.

Transcript:

Dyontae Johnson:

I come from humble beginnings. I’m from Detroit, Michigan.

Rakeem Nuñez-Roches:

I come from Belize, Central America.

Dyontae Johnson:

Now I was in foster care from, like, the age of, like, five to, like, thirteen, fourteen, something like that before my aunt, you know, got me out.

Rakeem Nuñez-Roches:

I understand, you know, what it’s like going without. I understand how to make a lot out of a little bit, and I I know that it takes a village.

Dyontae Johnson:

The way I was raised is just always, you know, to look out for others and just take care of other people.

Rakeem Nuñez-Roches:

Not too long ago, even in middle school and high school, I went through trouble and hard times and places like this and people like this also helped us do it.

Dyontae Johnson:

It changed somebody’s life just like that, and you never know what they’ll do in the future.

What they’ll do in the future, it could be a domino effect. They could help somebody else. And guess what? That next person, they’ll help somebody else.

So you kinda wanna continue to continually help people in the world. You’re only here for so long.

Rakeem Nuñez-Roches:

Being able to give back is – is a blessing for sure.

Dyontae Johnson:

Food Bank on three…One, two, three.

All:

Food Bank!