Food Bank For New York City Launches "Go Orange To End Hunger"™ Call To Action During September's Hunger Action Month

NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Food Bank For New York City, the city's major hunger relief organization, has launched its annual month-long Go Orange to End Hunger™ campaign during September's Hunger Action Month.  An award-winning program, owned by Food Bank, the organization was the first in the nation to embrace the color orange as the symbol of hunger-awareness.  Go Orange, GoOrange.org, has since been recognized as a citywide call to action for all New Yorkers to get involved and take action in support of the 1.5 million New Yorkers who rely on Food Bank For New York City and its citywide network of charities.  

Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank For New York City's programs and services. This year's launch of Go Orange To End Hunger™ comes on the heels of Federal cuts to the food stamp program (SNAP) that took 76 million meals off the tables of low-income New Yorkers this past November.  When the cuts went into effect less than one year ago, food pantries and soup kitchens across the city saw immediate and dramatic increases in need – in fact, Food Bank research found that 85 percent of the city's food pantries and soup kitchens saw more visitors after SNAP cuts took effect than in the immediate aftermath of Super Storm Sandy.

"Despite a recovering economy, struggling New Yorkers are missing millions of meals.  That's why Food Bank's launch of Go Orange To End Hunger™ this year is especially important – to help as many New Yorkers as possible to get informed about hunger and inspired to act on it," said Food Bank For New York City President and CEO Margarette Purvis. "By working diligently to encourage people on every level imaginable, we're taking the lead and letting New Yorkers know that together, we CAN combat hunger.  All of us can get involved in some way, whether you are donating a service, volunteering or helping us be a part of this important mission that we can all relate to."

Corporations, restaurants, retailers, volunteers, celebrities, and the public are Going Orange during Hunger Action Month with a number of citywide Go Orange efforts, which kicked off on September 1^st with a visible Times Square presence.  Thomson Reuters and NASDAQ donated space to Go Orange on their renowned digital billboards for the month of September featuring PSAs and photographs of families served by Food Bank.  Images featured on the billboards include emotional photos snapped by documentary photographer Joey O'Loughlin who has partnered with Food Bank For New York City to document the changing face of hunger in the city.

On September 4^th, the national day of Hunger Awareness, Food Bank For New York City was recognized by Delta Air Lines for the Go Orange To End Hunger™ kick-off at Delta Terminal's JFK Tower with an Orange lighting. Also, on the 4^th the legendary New York Yankees donated $50,000 to Food Bank at Yankees Stadium during a pre-game Go Orange ceremony before the Yankees vs. Red Sox game.

Food Bank is hosting dozens of Go Orange To End Hunger™ events across New York City throughout the month of September, where New Yorkers can volunteer, donate, and get active to fight hunger in their communities. A full list of Go Orange to End Hunger ™ activations can be found at GoOrange.org.  Some of the many events include:

• On September 9, Food Bank will host Charmed by Charity at Alex and Ani's Soho location. 15% of the sales will go to Food Bank and the New York Knicks City Dancers will be onsite cheering for Go Orange!
• On September 10, the city's iconic landmark, the Empire State Building, will be lit orange, inviting all New Yorkers to Go Orange to End Hunger ™.
• On September 13, Food Bank will be at the Williamsburg waterfront for Smorgasburg and at Brooklyn Flea Market in Park Slope on September 14^th— shoppers can score free Go Orange swag, and learn about combating hunger in every community from some of Brooklyn's coolest vendors.
• Dine out to end hunger through September 30 with "Meals For Meals." Top NYC restaurants — '21' Club, Porter House New York, The Breslin, The John Dory, The Spotted Pig, others — will donate one meal to Food Bank each time specially designated menu items are sold. Every $1 raised will help provide five meals for New Yorkers in need.
• On September 18, Food Bank will Go Orange to DC for its annual Anti-Hunger Advocacy Day in Washington to let Congress know about the need in our communities and specific legislative actions that can offer immediate help.

Also on September 18, NYC's favorite Spanish sandwich restaurant 100 Montaditos, will recreate Pamplona with a San Fermin-style Running of the Bulls.  Participating Matadors get two hours of complimentary food and open bar at the finish line, with the $10 early registration and $15 day-of registration fees being donated to Food Bank.  Sign up to run for at http://100montaditosny.com/running-of-the-bulls/#register

• On September 19-21, Legendary French perfumer Diptyque will host a three-day bonanza with 10% of proceeds from luxury scented candles, specialty fragrances and more going to Food Bank.
• On September 23, iconic fashion accessories retailer Henri Bendel will host a Shop 'Til You Drop For Go Orange event at its Fifth Avenue flagship location. Mix with celebs and nibble a Go Orange menu catered by popular culinary retailers Cabot Creamery Cooperative, jcoco chocolate, Treat House and Lavazza with 10% of the night's proceeds going to Food Bank.
• On September 28, Food Bank will hold its first-ever Urban Adventure in Bryant Park, courtesy of Bank of America —a massive, family-friendly scavenger hunt where New Yorkers of all ages will be invited to solve as many NYC Hunger clues as possible for the chance to win major prizes.

Go Orange to End Hunger™ is sponsored by Bank of America, Barilla America, Inc., Delta Air Lines, Inc., and Lavazza – Italy's Favorite Coffee.  For additional information and activations, go to GoOrange.org.

About Food Bank For New York City:
Food Bank For New York City has been the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years. Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank for food and other resources. Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 63 million free meals for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank For New York City's income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $100 million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence. In addition, Food Bank's nutrition education programs and services empower more than 275,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget.

To learn more about how you can help, please visit foodbanknyc.org.  Follow us on Facebook (FoodBank4NYC), Twitter  (@FoodBank4NYC) and Instagram (FoodBank4NYC). To donate, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/donate.  To become a partner, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/partner.  To volunteer, visit volunteer.foodbanknyc.org.  To advocate, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/advocate. To host a Virtual Food Drive, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/vfd.  To receive Food Bank For New York City's CEO E-Newsletter, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/email.

Media Contacts:
Shruti Sehgal, [email protected], 646-200-5283
Carol Schneider, [email protected], 212-566-7855, ext. 2231

SOURCE Food Bank For New York City