Fronts Change, and We Must Respond

Feed the Frontlines NYC started out of necessity and generosity. As we expanded to serve meals to 41 hospitals across the city, we listened to forecasts of widespread, permanent restaurant closures and news that the city’s food-insecure population had swelled from 1.2 to 2 million people since the crisis began. We saw lines at food banks snaking around the block near our West 83rd Street headquarters.

It became increasingly clear that the next phase of the crisis was beginning -- one that required more restaurants to reopen to feed the growing ranks of New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. So as the curve flattens here in NYC and ERs become less busy, Feed the Frontlines NYC is expanding our reach to individuals and families living and working in shelters and supportive housing residences. Together, we aim to help New Yorkers who are most vulnerable during this crisis - including over 130,000 recently-unemployed restaurant workers - by serving meals that provide nourishment and dignity.

Mayor Bill de Blasio estimates that the number of New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity has swelled from 1.2 to 2 million people due to the pandemic. In other words, one in four New Yorkers are food insecure, including at one in five children. At least 500,000 people in the city have lost their jobs since the crisis began. As our restaurants continue to recover, they are eager to support our communities’ recovery as well. Feed the Frontlines NYC is New Yorkers feeding New Yorkers and putting New Yorkers back to work. As we scale up our deliveries to supportive housing residences, youth shelters, senior housing, and other community-based organizations, we are thankful for your support in serving our city.