NYC's Biggest Pizza Party! 50 Pizzerias Donate 1,000+ Pizzas to Benefit New Yorkers in Need

NEW YORK, Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Did you know October is National Pizza Month? Slice Out Hunger is 100% volunteer run and forwards all proceeds to support 1.4 million New Yorkers in need through City Harvest and Food Bank For New York City. WNYC is a media partner for this event.

HUNGER IN NEW YORK CITY  
During the past year, the need for emergency food in our city has increased while the resources required to combat hunger and poverty have decreased.  The number of meals that vulnerable New Yorkers are missing due to lack of sufficient resources tops a staggering 242 million, representing an enormous Meal Gap. The Meal Gap, adapted as the City's official measure of food insecurity, has now been geographically mapped by Food Bank to reveal where hunger lives.  Food Bank uses the Meal Gap Map as a tool to direct additional food and services to the areas of highest need across New York City.

ABOUT Slice Out Hunger
Slice Out Hunger is a nonprofit corporation run by pizza lovers and pizza industry professionals and its mission is to support hunger relief initiatives by fundraising through the American pizza industry. Since its inception in 2009, Slice Out Hunger has raised more than $110,000 for hunger relief. Their annual $1 slice event has become an institution in New York City and has inspired cities around the country to host similar fundraisers. The size of the party continues to grow, but the focus has always been to highlight independent pizzerias while supporting those in our community who have difficulty affording food for themselves and their families. Find more information at sliceouthunger.org.

ABOUT City Harvest
City Harvest pioneered food rescue in 1982 and, this year, will collect 55 million pounds of excess food to help feed the nearly 1.4 million New Yorkers struggling to put meals on their tables.  Through relationships with farms, grocers, restaurants, and manufacturers, City Harvest collects nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it free of charge to 500 soup kitchens, food pantries and other community food programs across the five boroughs.  In addition to helping meet the immediate need for food, City Harvest developed long-term Healthy Neighborhoods programs which partner with low-income communities to increase access to fresh produce and help residents shop for and cook nutritious, budget-conscious meals.  To learn more about food rescue, Healthy Neighborhoods and fighting hunger in New York City, visit cityharvest.org.

ABOUT Food Bank For New York City
Food Bank For New York City has been 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 64 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 $150 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 44,000 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 and follow them on Facebook (FoodBankNYC) and Twitter  (@FoodBank4NYC).

CONTACT
Slice Out Hunger: C.C. Webster, [email protected], 347-868-7701
Food Bank For New York City: Carol Schneider, [email protected], 212-566-7855 x2231/646-831-3645
City Harvest: Samantha Park, [email protected], 646-412-0646; Cara Taback 646-412-0645

SOURCE Slice Out Hunger

Related Links

http://sliceouthunger.org