Nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers, and as many as 1 in 4 children, are experiencing food insecurity. Visits to food pantries have reached record highs across our city, with more than 8 million New Yorkers seeking food assistance so far this year. As the cost of living continues to rise and state and federal assistance programs face cuts, a food-insecurity crisis is looming for our most vulnerable New Yorkers.
Two weeks ago, the presidents of Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College wrote asking you to support Columbia Community Service (CCS), which provides critical grants to local nonprofits on the frontlines of food relief in Harlem and Morningside Heights, where 15 to 36 percent of households struggle with food insecurity.
“CCS allows us to respond to real needs. When several of our refrigerators and freezers broke down, CCS funds meant we could act immediately,” said Priscilla Bayley, development team member at Cathedral Community Cares, which operates a soup kitchen, full-service pantry, and clothing closet at Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.
Since 2019, through the generosity of your donations, CCS has been able to give $345,325 in grants to five Uptown organizations combating hunger. This year, we need to give more to meet the need.
We at CCS now urge you to donate to help us continue the work. We also want to remind you that every dollar you give goes to CCS grantees because the University covers all administrative costs of the program. And while you can use your credit card, we ask that you consider an automatic payroll deduction. With just $5 or $10 from each paycheck—the price of a cup of coffee—anyone can have a huge impact all year long. Here’s what your gifts can provide:
- $25 will give a family of one groceries for up to 10 meals
- $50 provides a food pantry bag to feed a three-person household for three days
- $75 can provide a family with fresh produce for three months
- $100 provides a family of four with groceries for up to 14 meals
For a detailed picture of the work that Columbia Community Service does all year long, visit the CCS website.
And if you cannot make a tax-exempt donation today, we urge you to give the gift of time.Thank you in advance for supporting CCS and our neighbors!
