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MARTY WANTS TO STAMP OUT HUNGER

martymark.jpgBP MARKOWITZ, USPS, FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY AND & BROOKLYN CYCLONES BASEBALL-LOVING MASCOT "SANDY THE SEAGULL" KICK OFF 

"STAMP OUT HUNGER!" FOOD DRIVE IN BROOKLYN

May 3 - 8 Drop Off Canned Goods At Your Local Post Office And Help Provide Hunger Relief To Approx. 500,000 Brooklynites Who Rely on Emergency Food

Beginning Monday, May 3, the letter carriers of Brooklyn, in conjunction with the United States Postal Services, will join forces with the Food Bank For New York City as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers' (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger! food drive effort.  The food drive will culminate on Saturday, May 8 -- which will mark the nation's largest single-day food drive.

Yesterday at noon, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, hosted the kick off of Brooklyn's Stamp Out Hunger! effort at Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, in downtown Brooklyn.  Joining the Borough President were David Grossnickle, Director of Food Sourcing for the Food Bank For New York City; Vito J. Cetta, USPS Triboro District Manager/Executive-in-Charge; Joseph Chiossone, Postmaster, Brooklyn, New York; Angelo Mangano, President, Branch 41, NALC; Brooklyn letter carriers, and a special appearance by Brooklyn Cyclones baseball-loving mascot (and a Brooklyn icon) "Sandy The Seagull" - all of whom are supporting Stamp Out Hunger! Together, they made the first donation of food items to Brooklyn residents in need. 

Throughout the week, everyone can help Stamp Out Hunger! in Brooklyn, by making a delivery of non-perishable food items like canned meats and fish, canned soup, juice, pasta, vegetables, cereal and rice, at your local post office.  All food donations will be repacked by the Food Bank and redistributed to community and emergency food programs to help families in need.  There are 300 emergency food programs in Brooklyn -- approximately one-third of the 1,000 programs throughout New York City.   You can also donate by the click of your mouse.  Just log on to www.foodbanknyc.org. 

"Right now, approximately 3.3 million New York City residents are reporting having difficulty affording needed food for themselves and their families -- that represents 2 in every 5 residents.    Never in the history of the Food Bank have we seen so many New Yorkers struggling to put food on the table," said Lucy Cabrera, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Food Bank For New York.   "As a result, increased demand for assistance at emergency food organizations is far outweighing support for available food and services. Food collected during Stamp Out Hunger will certainly help offset the rising demand for food." 

"Nearly half of all Brooklyn residents experienced difficulty affording needed food last year, and that is simply unacceptable in a nation like ours," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. "Far too many of our fellow New Yorkers are going to bed hungry, especially in Brooklyn, which has more soup kitchens and food pantries than any other borough. While that shows Brooklynites care about the issue of hunger and providing for friends and neighbors who are struggling to get even the most basic foods, our borough still has great need. And that's why, again this year, I am proud to team up with the National Association of Letter Carriers and Food Bank for New York City to 'Stamp Out Hunger'--and I urge everyone to give what they can and work toward the day when no Brooklynite or New Yorker goes hungry."

Vito J. Cetta, Triboro District Manager/Executive-in-Charge said, "This is a crucial time in Brooklyn and the rest of the country.  Many Americans are suffering due to a difficult economic climate.  We must extend our hands and our hearts to help our fellow citizens, especially our children. No child should go hungry in our country .This Food Drive is one way to do that. I am proud to join this year's Food Drive in order to raise awareness and help fulfill our objectives."  

Said Brooklyn Postmaster, Joseph Chiossone "Our mission today is simple -- to ask everyone to help spread the word and make a canned food donation to combat hunger. Brooklyn residents are being asked to drop-off non-perishable food items in special "Stamp Out Hunger" collection bins in postal lobbies from May 3 through May 8. Non-perishable donations like canned meats and fish, canned soup, juice, pasta, vegetables, cereal, and rice are suggested." 

President Angelo Mangano, Branch 41 NALC stated, "Once again Brooklyn Letter Carriers will continue in their efforts to help feed individuals less fortunate. On May 8th our brother and sister letter carriers across this nation will participate in the national food drive Stamp Out Hunger.  Letter carriers not only deliver your mail but we'll help by delivering food to area food banks to assist individuals in our community". 

In Brooklyn: 42 percent of Brooklyn residents experienced difficulty affording needed food in 2009. 

In Brooklyn: Emergency Food Programs currently provide food to approximately 500,000 people annually (approximately 1.3 million in NYC).

In Brooklyn: Forty-three percent of Emergency Food households are households with children age 17 and under (40 percent NYC). 

In Brooklyn: Approximately one-third (31 percent) of Brooklyn Emergency Food Program households have elderly members age 65 and up (29 percent NYC).  

For more information about Stamp Out Hunger, ask your letter carrier or contact your local post office.  Better yet, stop by the post office on May 3 - 8 and make a canned food donation!

About the Food Bank For New York City

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 27 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.  As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts -- emergency food distribution, income support and nutrition education -- all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of approximately 1,000 food assistance programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 300,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank's hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. Every dollar donated to the Food Bank helps provide five meals to New Yorkers in need. Learn how you can help at www.foodbanknyc.org

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