FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 24, 2022
CONTACTS:
Andy Eichar, (202) 834-4543
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES, SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER SECURE $3 MILLION FOR THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER
EAST NEW YORK, NY – This week, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced they secured $3 million for The Campaign Against Hunger through the recently-passed government funding law. The money will fund a permanent community food hub, a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that uses food access, education and innovation in urban farming to break the systemic and interconnected cycle of hunger and poverty in New York City.
The hub will be outfitted with 30,000-40,000 square feet of growing space, a commercial kitchen for workforce innovation and training for disadvantaged youths, and other community support activities. In addition, this hub will amplify the emergency food network capacity to store, pack and distribute healthy food in urban communities during pandemics, hurricanes and other emergencies.
“The pandemic hit us incredibly hard here in Brooklyn, throughout New York City and of course, across the nation. But we are a resilient community and brighter days are ahead. Nobody demonstrated that resilience more than Dr. Melony Samuels and The Campaign Against Hunger. They were there for our communities during the pandemic, and we’re going to make sure that they have the resources to continue to be there for us forever. I was proud to work with Senator Schumer to secure $3 million in federal funds for The Campaign Against Hunger to help them continue their vital work,” said Congressman Jeffries.
“No New Yorker should ever have to go to bed hungry or have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, which is why Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and I delivered this transformational funding to The Campaign Against Hunger,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “From youth empowerment, to nutrition education and community engagement, The Campaign Against Hunger is providing the necessary services to dismantle the interconnected cycles of hunger and poverty. With this substantial funding, they can dramatically expand their community approach to combatting food insecurity by creating a first-of-its-kind food hub in Brooklyn for urban farming, workforce innovation and more.”
“The Campaign Against Hunger is grateful to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries for supporting this important initiative to bring food and hope to so many who are struggling in our communities daily. It is time we approach the problem of food and economic injustice through the lens of inclusivity and access. The hub will be an ecosystem that uses food, education, and innovation in urban farming to break the interconnected cycle of hunger and poverty in NYC. This is a step in the right direction as we work to build an NYC where every child, adult, and senior have what they need to thrive,” said Dr. Melony Samuels, CEO and Founder of The Campaign Against Hunger.
The community food hub will also increase wealth-building opportunities through the creation of foodservice and green jobs for New Yorkers grappling with income loss. The communities served by The Campaign Against Hunger are primarily communities of color that face the burdens of racism, economic inequity, disinvestment and historically oppressive policies from policing to housing, education and food accessibility.
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