By Alice Kenny
The Feeding Our Neighbors Campaign, initially launched by Timothy Cardinal Dolan in 2011 and run for the past two years in partnership with UJA-Federation, kicks off this interfaith initiative in a big way this Sunday, January 19, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Catholic Charities Board Member Susan Salice and Catholic Charities Special Assistant to the Director Luz Tavarez-Salazar will join with Knights of Columbus State Deputy Carmine Musumeci as well as representatives from UJA-Federation and fellow dignitaries to announce this year’s campaign. It will run from January 26 – February 2.
There is just one goal for Feeding Our Neighbors, that New Yorkers – no matter their faith – answer the call to feed those who are hungry and in need in our community.
A united effort to fight hunger, Feeding Our Neighbors is a response to Cardinal Dolan’s call that we all do our part to replenish the food pantries and soup kitchens in our community, which so many families in our community rely on to survive.
Now, with more than 1.7 million people in New York City living in poverty and one out of five children without enough to eat, we are prepared to collect food and funds for an additional 1,000,000 meals. The first year we raised 500,000 additional meals. Last year the Feeding Our neighbors campaign raised close to 750,000 additional meals.
Sponsored by Catholic organizations throughout the Archdiocese of New York and managed by Catholic Charities and UJA-Federation of New York, two of the largest faith-based, not-for-profit organizations in New York, 100% of contributions to the campaign will support local food pantries that serve New Yorkers, non-Catholic and Catholic alike.
Participating organizations will load food donations on to Catholic Charities’ Mobile Food Pantry and Bronx Jewish Community Council trucks on Sunday for delivery food pantries, soup kitchens and meal programs that serve New Yorkers in need.
“I am delighted that we are partnering with old, as well as, new friends,” said Msgr. Kevin Sullivan.” “Thanks to all!”
Take one small action this January to help feed the hungry. Together, we can change lives.
- Support a Fundraising Drive. Donations can be made through Catholic Charities, your local parish, or any Catholic School in the New York Archdiocese. You can also make a quick $10 donation to Feeding Our Neighbors by texting “CCHOPE” to 85944.
- Feed the Big White Box. Bring non-perishable foods to a “Feeding Our Neighbors” food drive at any Catholic parish in the New York Archdiocese, the Catholic Charities headquarters at 1011 First Avenue, or any Archdiocesan Catholic School. Look for the big white box!
- Volunteer at a Food Pantry near You.
