December 2, 2025 • 24 mins
Today on The Breakfast Club, Leslie Gordon & Zac Hall Talk NYC Food Bank Programs, Feeding Families. Listen For More!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Oh, welcome, Wake you up, Wake you up, wakes up
the program, your alarm.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
The power one oh five point one on iHeartRadio Morning.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Everybody is DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne, the gud We
are the breakfast Club La La ROAs is here as well.
We got some special guests in the building. Yes, indeed
we have a Leslie Gordon and Zach Hall. Welcome, Thank
you this morning.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
What's up?
Speaker 3 (00:20):
How we doing from the Food Bank of New York City?
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Yes, yes, nobody does better work, you know, in regards
to helping people that are food and secured in the
Food Bank of New York City.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
Man.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Amen, and you know y'all have your fifty million meals campaign?
Tell us what that is?
Speaker 4 (00:35):
Yeah, So look here in New York City, about twenty
percent of our neighbors, almost every street, every borough, struggle
with knowing when their next meal is coming from, what
it's going to be. You know, if you don't have
enough food, it becomes like you're every minute, every moment,
where's it going to come from? What's it gonna be?
How am I going to feed my family? And so
(00:55):
we're on a roll, We're on a mission. We're on
a campaign. We want to make sure we raise fifty
million meals by the end of this calendar year. Wow,
and you've been great, right, thank you for being in
it to win it with us. Thank you for helping
people to understand and appreciate the nature of not having enough.
Looks like that's right.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
What is the biggest misconception? I want both of you
to answer this. What's the biggest misconception people have about
who is food and secure and why?
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Well?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
I always, you know, I want to tell people that
it's not the homeless man on the street, right, Like,
these are folks that are you see every day, These
folks that are in your building working on jobs all
across the city that are just trying to make meeting.
The cost of living in New York City is so
high that, like Leslie said, it's twenty percent of New
York City. That's that's a million and three hundred thousand people.
This is a good size American city, right, So these
(01:48):
are folks that you know, are trying to get their
kids to school, trying to make sure mom and dad
in retirement aren't struggling to afford the medications that they need.
And we just need you know, a kind of citywide
effort to make sure we can feed our neighbors.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
One one thing I thought, especially during the government shutdown,
you know, actual federal workers coming to the food bank,
the warm people lowing that benefit, the armed people on it,
no any type with welfare. They just couldn't make ends
me because they weren't getting any paychecks, so they had
to go to the food bank.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah. You know here in America they say, most people
are about, you know, one paycheck away from finding themselves
on standing on a pantry line going to a community
kitchen to get a hot meal. We had this incredible couple,
you know, come visit us in Queen's They said, you know,
we haven't been on a pantry line since the last
government shut down twenty and eighteen, twenty nineteen. Our daughter
(02:37):
has a scholarship at Cornell. She's coming home. We need
to be able to gather around the table for Thanksgiving
just like any other family, and so we need the food.
The amazing thing about it is is that there's such
an incredible spirit of gratitude. Right we're in that season
of gratitude. And so this same couple who stood on
the line, they took their groceries home. The guy comes
(02:59):
back about half an hour later. Our teams out on
the ground like they normally are, and thought he forgot something,
maybe he needs something else, And he said, no, I'm
gonna roll up my sleeves. I'm here to help put
me to work. What can I do? Yeah, it's incredible.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
How did the government shut down impact the operations like
to provide the food?
Speaker 4 (03:21):
Yeah, I mean we're made for moments like this at
Food Bank for New York City. We've got such an
incredible team and we've got, you know, great ambassadors like
all of you and Charlemagne here, and so that when
the demand rises, we rise right along with it to
make sure New Yorkers have what they need. But if
I'm being really honest, that's where we need people to
(03:44):
stand shoulder to shoulder with us, right, We need them
to be in it with us three hundred and sixty
five days a year. That's the thing. Hunger doesn't take
a holiday, right. We tend to have these conversations around
the holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving. You know, people are hungry all
year long, and there's everybody can find themselves on our journey, right,
(04:06):
That's what's really special speaking as objectively as I can
about what we do at food Bank for New York City, Right, And.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
You know the shutdown you mentioned that, you know, SNAP
benefits were halted for the first time in history. Right,
So we had two weeks of folks just not getting
into the food they need to get to get by,
and that saw a surge and demanded our pantries across
the city. And that's something that we don't want to repeat.
You know this, Folks shouldn't be punished for politics, and
(04:34):
this is about people, not about partisanship. And we make
sure that folks in America are being fed and having
Most SNAP recipients are tax paying working families, but they're
just they weren't getting their benefits. So we want to
make sure that doesn't happen again. Fortunately, you know then
the government was being funded through September thirtieth the next year.
I thank god. But you know, shutdowns really really impact
(04:56):
people way more than just work has not shut up
to work. It's about a lot lots of systems being impacted.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
It's about affordability. I mean, let's just be really honest.
Speaker 6 (05:04):
Right, I just want to ask how frustrating is it
for you guys, because you're really on the ground seeing
these people in these families. When you see headlines and
politicians making it about Republican Democrat, it's a different experience
for you as you're meeting these families, right, So, like,
what's that experience in talking to those people as they're
watching that happen.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I think it's just basic needs, right, Like everybody eats,
So we're going to make sure that that's a fundamental
kind of a condition of survival in this country and
in the city. This isn't about an urban or a
suburban or a rural issue. Hunger affects everybody across the country.
And the shutdown through that into stark relief. Right, so,
(05:47):
all of a sudden, forty two million people in the
country didn't have snap benefits. And the politics of it
is not a parent for us. We're serving households that
have come to us no matter any type of political persuasion,
and we're here to serve everybody. And you know, it
is frustrating that our elected leaders can't get along and
figure this out, and that's something that we always push for. Like,
(06:09):
you know, policy means that people are impacted, and how
can we come together, you know, party set aside, and
just move the country forward.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
What policy or systemic change would make the single biggest
impact right now in regards to keeping hunger from riding.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Yeah, I mean wages, that's always a big thing. Right.
The cost of living all across the country, and especially
right here in New York City is far out paced
wage increases. You know what we know. Here's check this
out for a minute. So if you live in New
York City, what we know is that you need to
make a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars just to
(06:49):
make ends meet. Right, rent eats first. I constantly say, so,
after you've paid the light bill, after you've paid for rent, right, transportation,
gas in the car, shoes for your kids, all of that,
There isn't a whole lot left, right, And so we
need to work on wages. Housing, right, We all talk
about housing a lot. That's a very serious issue. It's
(07:13):
it's really hard to live your best life when you
don't really know where you're gonna live, or it's taking
up a big chunk of your salary. We've got to
we've got to come together and fix it.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
I was going to ask when it comes to everything
that's going on in the world, our donations and contributions
down or is it up? How is that looking?
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Yeah? I mean that's what's so special about New Yorkers, right,
is that we've got such a spirit of coming together
in the best of times and in the worst of times,
including all of you, And so folks have continued to
be generous in some of the most impressive ways. It's
(07:53):
it's quite frankly humbling. It's one of the best parts
of my job is when people step forward and raise
the hand and say, how can I help? What can
I do? But it's not enough. Right. We're on pace
to maybe distribute about one hundred million pounds of good,
nutritious food this year, wow, which is crazy here in
(08:16):
New York City. And that doesn't even begin to fill
in the bucket. So we need to people to be
at it with us long term. When we talk about
the government shutdown, for example, so people say, oh, the
government's back in business again. Well, here's what happened when
the shutdown occurred. People started putting groceries and other bills
(08:36):
on credit cards. They started borrowing from friends IOUs And
what we know is that when that happens, it can
take years to get yourself back into a stable place again.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And you can't pay your credit card bills with benefits.
Your hustlings are trying cover the costs that you incurred.
They're trying to feed yourself.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
You can't buy diapers, right, none of that.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
I know a lot of people may feel that donating
is like it has to be expensive, Like the donation
has to be expensive. Is it true that a dollar
will one dollar could be five Well, five meals can
get you five meals.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Look, we try and be as efficient as possible. Food's
gotten increasingly expensive. We're really good at what we do.
You know. We work with cheers for the New York
State farmers, right, we try and support our own New
Jersey farmers, Connecticut farmers. So yeah, it does go a
long way. I would say between three and five meals
for sure.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
No donation is too big and no donation is too small. Yeah, really, yeah,
we see different ways to invest in our work. You can.
Certainly the monetary piece is really critical right now, unless
he's describing getting us to the point where we can
get fifty million meals. Yeah, but it's also volunteering and advocating.
It's another critical piece for us is making sure community
(09:55):
voices are heard elected officials, policy gets improved, and then
we can get you know, those those components that help
folks live better lives, you know, in place.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Now, if somebody's out there and then listening out, explain
how it works. Like, you know, you're from Queens or
you're in the city, what's the process? I can just
go up to any food bank and wait online and
get food on my outside waiting in line. Like what
is the process for people that don't know?
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Yeah, so no barriers to service, right. We want to
make accessing food as a fundamental right as the way
that we see it easy for individuals, for older adults,
for families. And so we've got this cool food finder
that we've spent a lot of time developing. So you
can visit us at FOODBANKNYC dot org. Click on you know,
(10:45):
find food and it'll bring up a map. You just
put in your zip code and it'll give you a
sense of either where someplace close to where you work,
someplace close to where you live where you can find
a pantry. And you know, we want it to be
a dignified experience. So years ago, if people who are
listening have sort of an older reflection on going to
(11:06):
a food pantry or a community kitchen. It used to
be hello, and you get a bag. Now things have
shifted pretty dramatically. We want it to be like a
mock grocery store experience as much as we possibly can
within our network. And so you go and we welcome
you warmly, right, we want it to be We want
you to be seen, We want you to be heard.
(11:27):
When you come. We want to talk about what else
is going on for you, right, because food and security
is a continuum of things, and so you know, if
you're a family of four, Let's say you come in
and instead of money, we give you a set of points.
It's called client choice. You get a set of points
and you shop around in a mock supermarket style experience,
(11:49):
and you can pick what makes sense for your families
and what you want for yourselves. Because I tell people
food isn't nutritious if you won't eat it, right, think
about that. It's really you're not seeing if somebody hands
you a ham or a chicken, but you're rid shariant
or your vegan, right, like, what you what are you
(12:09):
gonna do? Then? And so we want to make. We
want to make the healthy choice, the easy choice, but
we all also want you to feel like home.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
And we're you know, New York City is such a
diverse place, as you know, communities and cultures from all over,
and we want to make sure that that food is
you know, in front of folks, that that it's familiar
and means that they can feed their family in the with.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
It makes sense Now, I don't need a license, I
don't have to prove that i'm this. I just go
down there and say, hey, this is what I need,
and out you can.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
You can, like as you said, go to go to
our website, find a pantry in your area. I would
call them to make sure that the hours are you
know what they're stating, because those things can change, especially
around the holidays and so forth. But yeah, we want
to make it as minimally invasive as possible folks to
show up and get the nutritius for that they need.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Now, what about for immigrants? Immigrants allowed it this absolute no.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Barriers to service. Right, We're not here to judge you.
We're here to help you live your best life, no
matter where you come from, when, no matter when, you
reach out for support we're gonna be here for you.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
You're still cutting line in front of the locals.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Yeah, it gets a little ruck it's.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
A little hectic to see to him. But I know
you'all partner with a lot of you know, pantry to
community organizations. What do you hear from nim on the
ground that isn't making headlines?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
You know, there was an article, I think it was
The New York Times over the weekend in an accompanying
video where you see a woman taking a carton of
twelve eggs and cutting it in half, just so that
you can still spread around the resources. And so the
demand is super high. You know what's interesting is I've
been in this work nearly twenty years, and we've never
(13:45):
seen the amount of people standing online as high as
it is today. And so we're having to do more
with less. And so that's just another reason why we
need everybody's who's listening to be in it with a
not only now, but for the long term. But can
you imagine that taking a cart and eggs and you
got to cut it in a half so that this
(14:05):
family can have sex and that family can have sex.
It's not what we want to be doing.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
It's also really time intensive, right, Like thinking about you know,
folks are often telling us that the pantries that folks
are lining up, you know, five six in the morning
for nine o'clock, ten o'clock opening, So thinking like that's
a job, right, I think that's your early riser if
you're getting to a pantry line that early. And I
think folks don't recognize that it's really exhausting and time
(14:32):
intensive to navigate poverty and being in a situation where
you're food and secure and you got to you know,
kind of spend so much energy and time to try
to make you know, basic ends meat.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
What we hear is that people are super stressed, right,
super stressed. It feels demoralizing. You know, people are quick
to flare, they're angry, they're they're frustrated. You know, they
they care about policy, but at the end of the day,
it's about feeding themselves in their families.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Yeah. I also think that, you know, folks don't realize
that how big of a network that we have. There's
eight hundred plus food pantries and soup kitchens, but also schools, colleges,
healthcare partners, and they really stepped up, like Leslie's saying
during the shutdown, folks were, you know, seeing a lot
of above normal demand, but you know, folks were just there.
(15:25):
I'm gonna We're gonna be here for my communities, their community.
Folks helping each other and being that repository of dignified
service where you can get you know, trusted, nutritious food
in your community is really critical. And that's that's the
thing that goes unsung oftentimes. Our pantry network of these
folks have been doing this for as long as we have,
really forty plus years.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
You know, And yeah, I mean it's you see everybody
on the line. The other day, I was out in
the deep part of the South Bronx, which happens to
be one of the neediest communities in all of New
York City. Right, I'm underserved for years, you know, Morrisania,
Mott Haven, Fordham, Hunts Point, all those communities have been
(16:08):
deeply underserved for years. And I love to talk to
people on the line. One guy comes up and he said, oh,
I'm so excited now I'm going to cook this or
that he's imagining what he's going to make with everything
that we're giving on. I said, oh, you like to cook?
Tell me about that. He said, Yeah, I'm a graduate
of the Culinary Institute of America. I've cooked for some
of the best chefs in America. You know, shower roommate
(16:30):
nameless on your show this morning, but he's out there
on the line. Yeah, he said. You know, between jobs,
I don't always have enough to be able to feed myself,
so I do it. You know, it's everybody you see.
It's postal workers, it's you know, truck drivers, it's teachers.
We see a lot of teachers. It's kind of incredible
(16:51):
about who's actually hungry.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
You guys are providing on a large scale. It is
a lot of people that y'all are getting food too.
How do you ensure that the families are being fed
quality meals?
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Well, this is one of my favorite parts because we
have dieticians on staff, so they work with our procurement
team to make sure we're bringing in balanced meals you know,
that are culturally relevant, but also you know, whole and
mentally processed foods. And I have heard you talk before
about nutrition is such an important component of you know,
overall health, and we're going to make sure that, you know,
(17:24):
we're not reinforcing some of the you know, chronic health
conditions that are plagued by so many communities who are
also food in secure. It's like the double edged coin
where you're food and secure and you have a diabetes
or a hypertension or cancer, heart disease.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
You're sick. Yeah, then you got to take off work
to go to the doctor, and you lose your job
because you can't get to work because you're sick and
you're out at the doctor too much. It ends up
being a vicious cycle and a loop that people find
themselves in, and it's it's pretty crazy. Nutritious food's really
important to us, in addition to getting food that helps
(18:00):
you feel seen and that feels like home. You know
what's interesting is I think about kids in the Bronx.
We saw you out over the summer in the Bronx.
Do you know that there are kids in our own
city who have never had a blueberry? So, you know
what's interesting is is it as a parent, when you
(18:21):
have limited resources, you can't afford to make a mistake. Yeah,
right right, And so you've got to choose stuff that
you know that your kids are going to eat. What
if what if they've never had a blueberry before? And
you don't know if they're going to eat it not sheeap,
it's not cheap. And so that's also part of what
we do is help introduce everyone in New York City,
(18:43):
especially kids too, new and different foods that you know,
mom and dad can't afford to make a mistake on.
But we're going to make sure that they know what
a blueberry is all about.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
I mean, and we've we've been making really amazing strides
towards that end. You know, it was about forty percent
of our our food that goes out the doors produce
or lean protein, like really making sure that that's a
well rounded, balanced blade of food.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
Everything that's a you gotta come see right here's my
personal invitation this morning because it's I think it's quite
fascinating the magical dance that happens behind the scenes and
our incredible facility in the Hunts Points section in the
South Bronx every day to make sure that there's food
on the plate tonight for a New Yorker. It's it's
just hats off to our team that picks it up,
(19:27):
puts it down, moves it around with such an incredible
heartfelt spirit every single day. Yes, produce. I would say,
anything you find in a grocery store is what you're
going to find in our inventory. And we're serious. So
no cakes, pies, cookies, sugary drinks, that's that's not what's
in our facility.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Now, I've had some good cookies at the food bank,
that the one in Harlem.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Oh so listen, listen, listen, listen. So she's no joke, right,
it's the ginger peacht it's those I call them her
slam and chocolate chip cookies. Right, everybody deserves a treat.
We are definitely not the food police. I feel you
on that. So, yes, we've got this amazing Harlem kitchen
(20:12):
right off of Frederick Douglas Boulevard. We've been there for
a lot of years. Chef Sherry and her team spins
out nearly five hundred hot meals a day with love
and yeah, those cookies, you're no joke.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
I feel like that, you know, the food and fan Wycat.
That's what I love about y'all, the most passion that
y'all actually have. It doesn't feel like, you know, y'all
are just doing something for the sake of doing just
like everybody there is intentional about the mission. I feel
that way.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah. I mean people on my team have been doing
this for twenty twenty five years and so it's you know,
folks that come into the line of business stay at
the organization because we love our people and stick around
and grow and develop. I've been at the food bank
for seventeen years myself, Wow, started as a temp and
you know kind of came into this. Unless has been
(21:00):
doing this for for decades as well. So we have
is passion. I mean, feeding people, it's basic needs.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
Man.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
You give somebody a bag, looking looking in their eye
and understand that they're going to be better off because
of that. That's not enough, right, That's not enough to
get people whole. But you know, it's something that is
a tribute to the staff that we have a food
bank and take it very very seriously.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Imagine question, is that, what's one story that reminds you
why this mission still matters and keeps you motivated.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
It's a it's a it's an interesting story because that
is not always about food, right. So we have about
sixty or so hid A twelve pantries, So some pantries
at schools, elementary, middle of high schools, and you know,
with generous funding from City Council and other funders, we've
been able to do this for you know, going on
fifteen years. And part of the distribution that some of
(21:52):
our pantries includes all the food we've been talking about,
but also like some basic needs like hygiene supplies, logic, detergents, soap, shampoo,
those types of things, deodorant. And there's this one. I
was visiting one of the schools, PS thirty and in
the Bronx and just asking the parent corner, how's it going.
She says, oh, you know, like I didn't realize this,
but this pantry has had like these other amazing effects.
(22:16):
There's this one kid in our class, David. He was shy,
never really participating middle schooler, and after his family started
going to the pantry, he started, you know, being more
and more involved in class, participating, raising his hand. It
was because he got deodor and he was concerned that
raising his hand in class. You know, we've all been
(22:36):
in middle school. Man, that's that's a tough time. You
don't be called out as a kid who could. So
by going to the class he's getting you know, not
only meal has been basic needs, but stuff that prepares
him to be a better learner, right, and like that's
that's like an incredible story of just like how that
(22:58):
that whole whole household view can get kids in a
better place to be their better self. And she, you know,
she was almost in tears telling me how impactful this
was for for them in their school.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
You know, it's remember to deal, remember raise your hands
if you're sure. Yeah, he was sure that that was
That was very That was a very effective convers Today
is Giving Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
How would you want people to to go about giving?
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Is it money?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Is it financial?
Speaker 2 (23:24):
Is it work? Is it already above? It's all the above?
Money is uh the the benefit for us is the
most powerful way that we can we can put investments
back into our work in our community. So go to
food Bank and yc dot org, click on donate and
learn how you can give. No no, no gift us
too big, no gift us too small. But really that
(23:44):
keeps the engines pur across the street delivering all the
food that we do.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
It's you know, it's each one, reach one right. Everybody
can find themselves on our journey to empower all New
Yorkers for good and so yeah, it fod Bank NYC
dot org. Let's make sure that we're helping to fuel
better days ahead for all of our New Yorkers.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Absolutely, Leslie, Gordon, Zach Hole, thank you so much for
joining us this morning. Appreciate you go out and you
give a little bit, give what you can this morning,
and thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Appreciate, thank you.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
All Right, it's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Hold up every.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Day a week ago, up the Breakfast Club.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Finish the y'all done.
Oh, welcome, Wake you up, Wake you up, wakes up
the program, your alarm.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
The power one oh five point one on iHeartRadio Morning.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Everybody is DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne, the gud We
are the breakfast Club La La ROAs is here as well.
We got some special guests in the building. Yes, indeed
we have a Leslie Gordon and Zach Hall. Welcome, Thank
you this morning.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
What's up?
Speaker 3 (00:20):
How we doing from the Food Bank of New York City?
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Yes, yes, nobody does better work, you know, in regards
to helping people that are food and secured in the
Food Bank of New York City.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
Man.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Amen, and you know y'all have your fifty million meals campaign?
Tell us what that is?
Speaker 4 (00:35):
Yeah, So look here in New York City, about twenty
percent of our neighbors, almost every street, every borough, struggle
with knowing when their next meal is coming from, what
it's going to be. You know, if you don't have
enough food, it becomes like you're every minute, every moment,
where's it going to come from? What's it gonna be?
How am I going to feed my family? And so
(00:55):
we're on a roll, We're on a mission. We're on
a campaign. We want to make sure we raise fifty
million meals by the end of this calendar year. Wow,
and you've been great, right, thank you for being in
it to win it with us. Thank you for helping
people to understand and appreciate the nature of not having enough.
Looks like that's right.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
What is the biggest misconception? I want both of you
to answer this. What's the biggest misconception people have about
who is food and secure and why?
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Well?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
I always, you know, I want to tell people that
it's not the homeless man on the street, right, Like,
these are folks that are you see every day, These
folks that are in your building working on jobs all
across the city that are just trying to make meeting.
The cost of living in New York City is so
high that, like Leslie said, it's twenty percent of New
York City. That's that's a million and three hundred thousand people.
This is a good size American city, right, So these
(01:48):
are folks that you know, are trying to get their
kids to school, trying to make sure mom and dad
in retirement aren't struggling to afford the medications that they need.
And we just need you know, a kind of citywide
effort to make sure we can feed our neighbors.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
One one thing I thought, especially during the government shutdown,
you know, actual federal workers coming to the food bank,
the warm people lowing that benefit, the armed people on it,
no any type with welfare. They just couldn't make ends
me because they weren't getting any paychecks, so they had
to go to the food bank.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah. You know here in America they say, most people
are about, you know, one paycheck away from finding themselves
on standing on a pantry line going to a community
kitchen to get a hot meal. We had this incredible couple,
you know, come visit us in Queen's They said, you know,
we haven't been on a pantry line since the last
government shut down twenty and eighteen, twenty nineteen. Our daughter
(02:37):
has a scholarship at Cornell. She's coming home. We need
to be able to gather around the table for Thanksgiving
just like any other family, and so we need the food.
The amazing thing about it is is that there's such
an incredible spirit of gratitude. Right we're in that season
of gratitude. And so this same couple who stood on
the line, they took their groceries home. The guy comes
(02:59):
back about half an hour later. Our teams out on
the ground like they normally are, and thought he forgot something,
maybe he needs something else, And he said, no, I'm
gonna roll up my sleeves. I'm here to help put
me to work. What can I do? Yeah, it's incredible.
Speaker 5 (03:14):
How did the government shut down impact the operations like
to provide the food?
Speaker 4 (03:21):
Yeah, I mean we're made for moments like this at
Food Bank for New York City. We've got such an
incredible team and we've got, you know, great ambassadors like
all of you and Charlemagne here, and so that when
the demand rises, we rise right along with it to
make sure New Yorkers have what they need. But if
I'm being really honest, that's where we need people to
(03:44):
stand shoulder to shoulder with us, right, We need them
to be in it with us three hundred and sixty
five days a year. That's the thing. Hunger doesn't take
a holiday, right. We tend to have these conversations around
the holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving. You know, people are hungry all
year long, and there's everybody can find themselves on our journey, right,
(04:06):
That's what's really special speaking as objectively as I can
about what we do at food Bank for New York City, Right, And.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
You know the shutdown you mentioned that, you know, SNAP
benefits were halted for the first time in history. Right,
So we had two weeks of folks just not getting
into the food they need to get to get by,
and that saw a surge and demanded our pantries across
the city. And that's something that we don't want to repeat.
You know this, Folks shouldn't be punished for politics, and
(04:34):
this is about people, not about partisanship. And we make
sure that folks in America are being fed and having
Most SNAP recipients are tax paying working families, but they're
just they weren't getting their benefits. So we want to
make sure that doesn't happen again. Fortunately, you know then
the government was being funded through September thirtieth the next year.
I thank god. But you know, shutdowns really really impact
(04:56):
people way more than just work has not shut up
to work. It's about a lot lots of systems being impacted.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
It's about affordability. I mean, let's just be really honest.
Speaker 6 (05:04):
Right, I just want to ask how frustrating is it
for you guys, because you're really on the ground seeing
these people in these families. When you see headlines and
politicians making it about Republican Democrat, it's a different experience
for you as you're meeting these families, right, So, like,
what's that experience in talking to those people as they're
watching that happen.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I think it's just basic needs, right, Like everybody eats,
So we're going to make sure that that's a fundamental
kind of a condition of survival in this country and
in the city. This isn't about an urban or a
suburban or a rural issue. Hunger affects everybody across the country.
And the shutdown through that into stark relief. Right, so,
(05:47):
all of a sudden, forty two million people in the
country didn't have snap benefits. And the politics of it
is not a parent for us. We're serving households that
have come to us no matter any type of political persuasion,
and we're here to serve everybody. And you know, it
is frustrating that our elected leaders can't get along and
figure this out, and that's something that we always push for. Like,
(06:09):
you know, policy means that people are impacted, and how
can we come together, you know, party set aside, and
just move the country forward.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
What policy or systemic change would make the single biggest
impact right now in regards to keeping hunger from riding.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Yeah, I mean wages, that's always a big thing. Right.
The cost of living all across the country, and especially
right here in New York City is far out paced
wage increases. You know what we know. Here's check this
out for a minute. So if you live in New
York City, what we know is that you need to
make a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars just to
(06:49):
make ends meet. Right, rent eats first. I constantly say, so,
after you've paid the light bill, after you've paid for rent, right, transportation,
gas in the car, shoes for your kids, all of that,
There isn't a whole lot left, right, And so we
need to work on wages. Housing, right, We all talk
about housing a lot. That's a very serious issue. It's
(07:13):
it's really hard to live your best life when you
don't really know where you're gonna live, or it's taking
up a big chunk of your salary. We've got to
we've got to come together and fix it.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
I was going to ask when it comes to everything
that's going on in the world, our donations and contributions
down or is it up? How is that looking?
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Yeah? I mean that's what's so special about New Yorkers, right,
is that we've got such a spirit of coming together
in the best of times and in the worst of times,
including all of you, And so folks have continued to
be generous in some of the most impressive ways. It's
(07:53):
it's quite frankly humbling. It's one of the best parts
of my job is when people step forward and raise
the hand and say, how can I help? What can
I do? But it's not enough. Right. We're on pace
to maybe distribute about one hundred million pounds of good,
nutritious food this year, wow, which is crazy here in
(08:16):
New York City. And that doesn't even begin to fill
in the bucket. So we need to people to be
at it with us long term. When we talk about
the government shutdown, for example, so people say, oh, the
government's back in business again. Well, here's what happened when
the shutdown occurred. People started putting groceries and other bills
(08:36):
on credit cards. They started borrowing from friends IOUs And
what we know is that when that happens, it can
take years to get yourself back into a stable place again.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
And you can't pay your credit card bills with benefits.
Your hustlings are trying cover the costs that you incurred.
They're trying to feed yourself.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
You can't buy diapers, right, none of that.
Speaker 5 (08:59):
I know a lot of people may feel that donating
is like it has to be expensive, Like the donation
has to be expensive. Is it true that a dollar
will one dollar could be five Well, five meals can
get you five meals.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
Look, we try and be as efficient as possible. Food's
gotten increasingly expensive. We're really good at what we do.
You know. We work with cheers for the New York
State farmers, right, we try and support our own New
Jersey farmers, Connecticut farmers. So yeah, it does go a
long way. I would say between three and five meals
for sure.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
No donation is too big and no donation is too small. Yeah, really, yeah,
we see different ways to invest in our work. You can.
Certainly the monetary piece is really critical right now, unless
he's describing getting us to the point where we can
get fifty million meals. Yeah, but it's also volunteering and advocating.
It's another critical piece for us is making sure community
(09:55):
voices are heard elected officials, policy gets improved, and then
we can get you know, those those components that help
folks live better lives, you know, in place.
Speaker 3 (10:05):
Now, if somebody's out there and then listening out, explain
how it works. Like, you know, you're from Queens or
you're in the city, what's the process? I can just
go up to any food bank and wait online and
get food on my outside waiting in line. Like what
is the process for people that don't know?
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Yeah, so no barriers to service, right. We want to
make accessing food as a fundamental right as the way
that we see it easy for individuals, for older adults,
for families. And so we've got this cool food finder
that we've spent a lot of time developing. So you
can visit us at FOODBANKNYC dot org. Click on you know,
(10:45):
find food and it'll bring up a map. You just
put in your zip code and it'll give you a
sense of either where someplace close to where you work,
someplace close to where you live where you can find
a pantry. And you know, we want it to be
a dignified experience. So years ago, if people who are
listening have sort of an older reflection on going to
(11:06):
a food pantry or a community kitchen. It used to
be hello, and you get a bag. Now things have
shifted pretty dramatically. We want it to be like a
mock grocery store experience as much as we possibly can
within our network. And so you go and we welcome
you warmly, right, we want it to be We want
you to be seen, We want you to be heard.
(11:27):
When you come. We want to talk about what else
is going on for you, right, because food and security
is a continuum of things, and so you know, if
you're a family of four, Let's say you come in
and instead of money, we give you a set of points.
It's called client choice. You get a set of points
and you shop around in a mock supermarket style experience,
(11:49):
and you can pick what makes sense for your families
and what you want for yourselves. Because I tell people
food isn't nutritious if you won't eat it, right, think
about that. It's really you're not seeing if somebody hands
you a ham or a chicken, but you're rid shariant
or your vegan, right, like, what you what are you
(12:09):
gonna do? Then? And so we want to make. We
want to make the healthy choice, the easy choice, but
we all also want you to feel like home.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
And we're you know, New York City is such a
diverse place, as you know, communities and cultures from all over,
and we want to make sure that that food is
you know, in front of folks, that that it's familiar
and means that they can feed their family in the with.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
It makes sense Now, I don't need a license, I
don't have to prove that i'm this. I just go
down there and say, hey, this is what I need,
and out you can.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
You can, like as you said, go to go to
our website, find a pantry in your area. I would
call them to make sure that the hours are you
know what they're stating, because those things can change, especially
around the holidays and so forth. But yeah, we want
to make it as minimally invasive as possible folks to
show up and get the nutritius for that they need.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Now, what about for immigrants? Immigrants allowed it this absolute no.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Barriers to service. Right, We're not here to judge you.
We're here to help you live your best life, no
matter where you come from, when, no matter when, you
reach out for support we're gonna be here for you.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
You're still cutting line in front of the locals.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
Yeah, it gets a little ruck it's.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
A little hectic to see to him. But I know
you'all partner with a lot of you know, pantry to
community organizations. What do you hear from nim on the
ground that isn't making headlines?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
You know, there was an article, I think it was
The New York Times over the weekend in an accompanying
video where you see a woman taking a carton of
twelve eggs and cutting it in half, just so that
you can still spread around the resources. And so the
demand is super high. You know what's interesting is I've
been in this work nearly twenty years, and we've never
(13:45):
seen the amount of people standing online as high as
it is today. And so we're having to do more
with less. And so that's just another reason why we
need everybody's who's listening to be in it with a
not only now, but for the long term. But can
you imagine that taking a cart and eggs and you
got to cut it in a half so that this
(14:05):
family can have sex and that family can have sex.
It's not what we want to be doing.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
It's also really time intensive, right, Like thinking about you know,
folks are often telling us that the pantries that folks
are lining up, you know, five six in the morning
for nine o'clock, ten o'clock opening, So thinking like that's
a job, right, I think that's your early riser if
you're getting to a pantry line that early. And I
think folks don't recognize that it's really exhausting and time
(14:32):
intensive to navigate poverty and being in a situation where
you're food and secure and you got to you know,
kind of spend so much energy and time to try
to make you know, basic ends meat.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
What we hear is that people are super stressed, right,
super stressed. It feels demoralizing. You know, people are quick
to flare, they're angry, they're they're frustrated. You know, they
they care about policy, but at the end of the day,
it's about feeding themselves in their families.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
Yeah. I also think that, you know, folks don't realize
that how big of a network that we have. There's
eight hundred plus food pantries and soup kitchens, but also schools, colleges,
healthcare partners, and they really stepped up, like Leslie's saying
during the shutdown, folks were, you know, seeing a lot
of above normal demand, but you know, folks were just there.
(15:25):
I'm gonna We're gonna be here for my communities, their community.
Folks helping each other and being that repository of dignified
service where you can get you know, trusted, nutritious food
in your community is really critical. And that's that's the
thing that goes unsung oftentimes. Our pantry network of these
folks have been doing this for as long as we have,
really forty plus years.
Speaker 4 (15:46):
You know, And yeah, I mean it's you see everybody
on the line. The other day, I was out in
the deep part of the South Bronx, which happens to
be one of the neediest communities in all of New
York City. Right, I'm underserved for years, you know, Morrisania,
Mott Haven, Fordham, Hunts Point, all those communities have been
(16:08):
deeply underserved for years. And I love to talk to
people on the line. One guy comes up and he said, oh,
I'm so excited now I'm going to cook this or
that he's imagining what he's going to make with everything
that we're giving on. I said, oh, you like to cook?
Tell me about that. He said, Yeah, I'm a graduate
of the Culinary Institute of America. I've cooked for some
of the best chefs in America. You know, shower roommate
(16:30):
nameless on your show this morning, but he's out there
on the line. Yeah, he said. You know, between jobs,
I don't always have enough to be able to feed myself,
so I do it. You know, it's everybody you see.
It's postal workers, it's you know, truck drivers, it's teachers.
We see a lot of teachers. It's kind of incredible
(16:51):
about who's actually hungry.
Speaker 5 (16:53):
You guys are providing on a large scale. It is
a lot of people that y'all are getting food too.
How do you ensure that the families are being fed
quality meals?
Speaker 2 (17:03):
Well, this is one of my favorite parts because we
have dieticians on staff, so they work with our procurement
team to make sure we're bringing in balanced meals you know,
that are culturally relevant, but also you know, whole and
mentally processed foods. And I have heard you talk before
about nutrition is such an important component of you know,
overall health, and we're going to make sure that, you know,
(17:24):
we're not reinforcing some of the you know, chronic health
conditions that are plagued by so many communities who are
also food in secure. It's like the double edged coin
where you're food and secure and you have a diabetes
or a hypertension or cancer, heart disease.
Speaker 4 (17:40):
You're sick. Yeah, then you got to take off work
to go to the doctor, and you lose your job
because you can't get to work because you're sick and
you're out at the doctor too much. It ends up
being a vicious cycle and a loop that people find
themselves in, and it's it's pretty crazy. Nutritious food's really
important to us, in addition to getting food that helps
(18:00):
you feel seen and that feels like home. You know
what's interesting is I think about kids in the Bronx.
We saw you out over the summer in the Bronx.
Do you know that there are kids in our own
city who have never had a blueberry? So, you know
what's interesting is is it as a parent, when you
(18:21):
have limited resources, you can't afford to make a mistake. Yeah,
right right, And so you've got to choose stuff that
you know that your kids are going to eat. What
if what if they've never had a blueberry before? And
you don't know if they're going to eat it not sheeap,
it's not cheap. And so that's also part of what
we do is help introduce everyone in New York City,
(18:43):
especially kids too, new and different foods that you know,
mom and dad can't afford to make a mistake on.
But we're going to make sure that they know what
a blueberry is all about.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
I mean, and we've we've been making really amazing strides
towards that end. You know, it was about forty percent
of our our food that goes out the doors produce
or lean protein, like really making sure that that's a
well rounded, balanced blade of food.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
Everything that's a you gotta come see right here's my
personal invitation this morning because it's I think it's quite
fascinating the magical dance that happens behind the scenes and
our incredible facility in the Hunts Points section in the
South Bronx every day to make sure that there's food
on the plate tonight for a New Yorker. It's it's
just hats off to our team that picks it up,
(19:27):
puts it down, moves it around with such an incredible
heartfelt spirit every single day. Yes, produce. I would say,
anything you find in a grocery store is what you're
going to find in our inventory. And we're serious. So
no cakes, pies, cookies, sugary drinks, that's that's not what's
in our facility.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Now, I've had some good cookies at the food bank,
that the one in Harlem.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Oh so listen, listen, listen, listen. So she's no joke, right,
it's the ginger peacht it's those I call them her
slam and chocolate chip cookies. Right, everybody deserves a treat.
We are definitely not the food police. I feel you
on that. So, yes, we've got this amazing Harlem kitchen
(20:12):
right off of Frederick Douglas Boulevard. We've been there for
a lot of years. Chef Sherry and her team spins
out nearly five hundred hot meals a day with love
and yeah, those cookies, you're no joke.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
I feel like that, you know, the food and fan Wycat.
That's what I love about y'all, the most passion that
y'all actually have. It doesn't feel like, you know, y'all
are just doing something for the sake of doing just
like everybody there is intentional about the mission. I feel
that way.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
Yeah. I mean people on my team have been doing
this for twenty twenty five years and so it's you know,
folks that come into the line of business stay at
the organization because we love our people and stick around
and grow and develop. I've been at the food bank
for seventeen years myself, Wow, started as a temp and
you know kind of came into this. Unless has been
(21:00):
doing this for for decades as well. So we have
is passion. I mean, feeding people, it's basic needs.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
Man.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
You give somebody a bag, looking looking in their eye
and understand that they're going to be better off because
of that. That's not enough, right, That's not enough to
get people whole. But you know, it's something that is
a tribute to the staff that we have a food
bank and take it very very seriously.
Speaker 1 (21:21):
Imagine question, is that, what's one story that reminds you
why this mission still matters and keeps you motivated.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
It's a it's a it's an interesting story because that
is not always about food, right. So we have about
sixty or so hid A twelve pantries, So some pantries
at schools, elementary, middle of high schools, and you know,
with generous funding from City Council and other funders, we've
been able to do this for you know, going on
fifteen years. And part of the distribution that some of
(21:52):
our pantries includes all the food we've been talking about,
but also like some basic needs like hygiene supplies, logic, detergents, soap, shampoo,
those types of things, deodorant. And there's this one. I
was visiting one of the schools, PS thirty and in
the Bronx and just asking the parent corner, how's it going.
She says, oh, you know, like I didn't realize this,
but this pantry has had like these other amazing effects.
(22:16):
There's this one kid in our class, David. He was shy,
never really participating middle schooler, and after his family started
going to the pantry, he started, you know, being more
and more involved in class, participating, raising his hand. It
was because he got deodor and he was concerned that
raising his hand in class. You know, we've all been
(22:36):
in middle school. Man, that's that's a tough time. You
don't be called out as a kid who could. So
by going to the class he's getting you know, not
only meal has been basic needs, but stuff that prepares
him to be a better learner, right, and like that's
that's like an incredible story of just like how that
(22:58):
that whole whole household view can get kids in a
better place to be their better self. And she, you know,
she was almost in tears telling me how impactful this
was for for them in their school.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
You know, it's remember to deal, remember raise your hands
if you're sure. Yeah, he was sure that that was
That was very That was a very effective convers Today
is Giving Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
How would you want people to to go about giving?
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Is it money?
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Is it financial?
Speaker 2 (23:24):
Is it work? Is it already above? It's all the above?
Money is uh the the benefit for us is the
most powerful way that we can we can put investments
back into our work in our community. So go to
food Bank and yc dot org, click on donate and
learn how you can give. No no, no gift us
too big, no gift us too small. But really that
(23:44):
keeps the engines pur across the street delivering all the
food that we do.
Speaker 4 (23:48):
It's you know, it's each one, reach one right. Everybody
can find themselves on our journey to empower all New
Yorkers for good and so yeah, it fod Bank NYC
dot org. Let's make sure that we're helping to fuel
better days ahead for all of our New Yorkers.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Absolutely, Leslie, Gordon, Zach Hole, thank you so much for
joining us this morning. Appreciate you go out and you
give a little bit, give what you can this morning,
and thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
Appreciate, thank you.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
All Right, it's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
Hold up every.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
Day a week ago, up the Breakfast Club.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
Finish the y'all done.
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