Food Bank For New York City Celebrates 30 Years Of Service To NYC At Star-Studded, Can Do Awards Gala April 30th

NEW YORK, April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Food Bank For New York City — the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs — will celebrate its 30^th Anniversary of service to New York City at the Can Do Awards Dinner, presented by Bank of America, on Tuesday, April 30^th, at Cipriani Wall Street.  Mario Batali and Susan Cahn, Diane Sawyer & The ABC News Hidden America Team, Food Bank For New York City founder Kathy Goldman, and Delta Air Lines will be honored for their commitment to eradicating poverty and hunger.  Jodisue and Scott R. Feldman serve as Can Do Dinner Co-Chairs and multi-Emmy and Golden Globe award-winner Tony Shalhoub will emcee the event.

Award-winning musician, singer, songwriter and philanthropist, Jon Bon Jovi, will be the special musical guest at the 30^th Anniversary Dinner. Jon was honored at the Can Do Awards Dinner in 2009 for his commitment to bringing heightened awareness and aid to the issues that adversely impact humanity.  

Can Do Honorees Mario Batali and Susan Cahn have actively supported Food Bank For New York City for over two decades by tirelessly working to end hunger in New York City while raising millions of dollars for the organization. A Board Member since 2003, Mario Batali is founder and chair of Food Bank's Culinary Council which brings together prestigious leaders in the culinary industry.  In 2011, Batali and Food Bank launched Community CookShop, bringing nutrition education to families in need throughout New York City. 

Diane Sawyer and the ABC News Hidden America Team will be honored for shedding light on difficult and previously under-reported topics including the realities of extreme poverty in America. Sawyer, a long time supporter of Food Bank, has won multiple awards for her work reporting on the issues of hunger and devastation across the nation.

For more than forty-five years, Can Do Honoree Kathy Goldman, has been an innovator and a determined advocate for hunger-relief who has helped initiate groundbreaking food programs in New York City. In 1983, she joined forces with other community leaders to found what has now become Food Bank For New York City in response to the growing need for emergency food. 

Can Do Corporate Honoree, Delta Air Lines, is the official airline of Food Bank For New York City, who has provided financial support, travel and volunteers to sustain Food Bank's mission since 2007.  

Target, Can Do Mission Partner Awardee, has been providing food, funds and talent to Food Bank For New York City since 2004. With Food Bank, Target continues their legacy of community service by recognizing innovative ways to directly impact those who need it the most. 

"Our extraordinary Can Do honorees have each demonstrated an uncommon commitment to ending hunger.  We applaud their passion, their compassion and their generosity of spirit," said Margarette Purvis, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City.  "Food Bank For New York City could not do what we do without the support of each one of you, who continuously says, I 'Can Do.'"

The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner and both a live auction hosted by Brian McCormak of Christie's Auction House, and an exciting silent auction. The silent auction is now live at http://ibidmobile.net/fbnyc/auction/.

The Can Do Awards Dinner is instrumental in helping to provide support for the 2.6 million New Yorkers who are struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their families.  One in five New Yorkers already relies on Food Bank programs and services to eat, including one in five children. And the news on the horizon presents further challenges. On November 1, 2013, sweeping Congressional cuts to food stamps (now know as SNAP) will take effect resulting in the loss of approximately 60 million meals for New Yorkers in need. Every dollar donated to Food Bank For New York City helps provide five meals.

Tables/Tickets can be purchased by calling 212-249-6188 or by emailing [email protected].

About Food Bank For New York City

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 30 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.  As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of  community-based member programs citywide, Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank's hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. 94% of donations go directly toward food distribution, acquisition and programs in all five boroughs of New York City.  Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.

Media Contacts:

Carol Schneider/212-566-7855, ext. 2231/ [email protected] 
Shawn Purdy/Slate PR/212-901-3938/ [email protected] 
Lana Gersten/Group Gordon PR/212-784-5714/ [email protected]

SOURCE Food Bank For New York City