Feeding Westchester Completes Hunger Action Month

ELMSFORD – From a government proclamation to swimming across the Hudson, to a discussion of child hunger, Feeding Westchester was on the move during Hunger Action Month (September), turning action into awareness into community impact in the fight against hunger.

The month began with Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins presenting a proclamation officially recognizing September as Hunger Action Month in Westchester. On Hunger Action Day (9/9), News 12 Westchester’s Lisa LaRocca broadcast live all morning from Feeding Westchester; The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge glowed in brilliant orange light (9/9 and 9/12); The Business Council of Westchester held their Board of Directors meeting at Feeding Westchester (9/10); and Melissa Colorado, reporter for both NBC4 New York and Telemundo47, was on-location for a story on food distribution in Port Chester (9/12) to build awareness for the Feeding Our Families food drive.

On September 13, the Feeding Our Families food drive—a collaboration with NBC4 and Telemundo47—benefited from thousands of donors across 13 Stop & Shop stores in Westchester (180 in the tri-state area). The campaign collected 110 tons of food across the tri-state area, the equivalent of nearly three fully loaded tractor trailers. Locally, Westchester contributed 16,900 pounds of food—the equivalent of 14,080 meals. Special moments included NBC4 Lead Sports Anchor Bruce Beck working with volunteers at the North White Plains Stop & Shop to greet donors and assist with food collection.

Momentum continued with community events throughout the month. At The Lighthouse Swim (9/14), over 100 brave athletes swam a challenging three miles across the Hudson to benefit Feeding Westchester and other local charities; Comics for a Cause (9/18), a night of laughter and generosity hosted by The Giving Circle of Lower Westchester, featured four comedians performing to benefit Feeding Westchester; and capping the month of activity, Hungry to Learn, a special Hunger Action Month panel discussion (9/30), brought together experts in child health, education, nutrition and public policy for an close look at childhood hunger in Westchester and innovative solutions to address it. Moderated by Feeding Westchester board member Danielle DeMaio, the panel gave the community a deeper understanding of the challenges families are facing and the urgency of action.

Throughout September, hundreds of Westchester residents made donations to support Feeding Westchester, with a special thank you to longtime supporter Debbie Newman Bernstein, whose generous matching gift offer inspired many others to give.

Feeding Westchester is so grateful to those who were involved with these events–or simply offered a supportive smile or nod of encouragement–your contributions helped to make this annual month of action a success. The resources raised this September will help to provide critical meals through the fall and holiday season.

Feeding Westchester distributed more than 21 million pounds of food—equivalent to 17 million meals—in the past year through a network of 175 community partners. To learn more about ways to get involved, visit feedingwestchester.org