In an effort to promote the charities working to meet the needs of our neighbors across New York City, we are launching a new series that will spotlight a different charity each month. We will provide information about their mission, the success of their efforts and how you can help.  We are kicking off our new Charity Spotlight with an organization that has grown near and dear to our hearts, The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH). 

We have written a lot about this organization since we were first introduced to Dr. Melony Samuels, Executive Director and Founder of TCAH back in May, and rightfully so.  These unprecedented times have seen a growth in food insecurity, meaning that an individual or family is without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Being unsure of where your next meal will come from is a tragic circumstance and one that has increased due to the pandemic. People who have never before found themselves in this situation are having to rely on the support of organizations like TCAH to help make ends meet and put food on the table.  Thankfully, TCAH is taking this tragic issue head on and are relentless in their efforts to combat food insecurity in our community. 

Since May, TCAH has been working out of Broadway Stages’ soundstage warehouse in Canarsie, Brooklyn that has been converted into a food collection and distribution center. The facility provides TCAH the space required to organize food donations and to distribute the food while it's at the peak of freshness.  We recently extended the in-kind lease to TCAH from three to a 10 months, a value of $250,000.00. This will allow TCAH to seamlessly serve our community through the holiday season and into the new year and give them time to identify an appropriate location where they can establish a permanent home for their operation. 

In the meantime, a great deal of progress has been made.  Since March, when the full force of COVID-19 first hit our community, TCAH has served over 1.2 million individuals, and provided more than 11.5 million meals.  Now that’s an impact, but the need grows exponentially each day. Please consider helping however you can, either financially, in-kind or as a volunteer.  For every $1 you donate, TCAH can distribute $5 worth of food to New Yorkers in need this holiday season.  TCAH is committed to fight fight hunger and food insecurity.  We invite you to become a part of the solution.  Learn more about TCAH, their programs, how to donate or volunteer to help fight food insecurity that affects over 2.6 million individuals throughout our City.