Welcome to Broadway Stages’ weekly Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. We encourage our readers to join us in supporting these stakeholders who help to advance local economic, social and environmental growth.

Throughout Women’s History Month, we are shining the spotlight on women owned businesses, and organizations founded and led by women. This week our focus turns to the founder of an organization that is helping to fight food insecurity, Dr. Melony Samuels, the founder and executive director of The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH). Since 1998, this amazing organization has worked tirelessly to feed and support those in need. What started out as a small pantry in a church basement, has turned into a full-out movement to empower individuals to lead healthier, more productive, and self-sufficient lives by increasing access to safe, nutritious food and related resources.

From the start, a community’s approach to caring has directed everything TCAH does. Under the leadership of Dr. Samuels, TCAH now offers a continuum of wrap-around services and programs that meet the unique needs of each individual with the goal of setting them free from reliance on New York’s social service safety net.

Originally from Bed-Stuy, Dr. Samuels received her doctorate in religious education from the Christian Outreach Bible College and Theological Seminary in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Her passion for community is evident as TCAH continues to grow and prosper beyond Brooklyn. TCAH’s “Super Pantry” warehouses provide mobile pantries that operate from Rockaway to the South Bronx. They’ve also created three amazing urban agro-ecological centers, a social services office, a community kitchen and nutrition education hub, and even a youth and leadership development program.

Dr. Samuels’ commitment to combat food insecurity inspired us to donate our warehouse in Canarsie to serve as a food collection and distribution facility at the onset of the pandemic, and today we are proud to represent TACH as a member of their board of directors.

We hope Dr. Samuels’ story has enticed you to get involved. There are a number of ways you can help – consider donating, joining the team, becoming a volunteer, or an advocate for food justice. You can find TCAH on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest initiatives and news.

Join us in celebrating the amazing work of TCAH, the incredible dedication, resolve, faith and leadership of Dr. Samuels, and her community approach to caring.