Westchester nonprofit recognized for efforts to combat food insecurity
among low-income households, the elderly, veterans, and the chronically ill.
The Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, led by philanthropist and New York Mets owner Alex Cohen, is launching Hillside Food to support the nonprofit’s efforts to combat food insecurity in communities in New York and Connecticut. – Awarded a $40,000 grant to Outreach.
“We are extremely grateful for this wonderful gift from the Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Foundation,” said Kathy Purdy, CEO and founder of Hillside Food Outreach. “Their generous support expands our reach and provides more free, high-quality, nutritious food to thousands of low-income neighbors, families, seniors, veterans, and the chronically ill each month. will help you provide it.”
“Hillside Food Outreach’s work is making a difference in our communities,” said Alex Cohen, president of the Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Foundation. “We are proud to support this organization so they can continue to do what they do best: expand access to nutritious food and help communities rise.”
Since its founding in 2001, the Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Foundation has provided more than $1.2 billion in philanthropic support to nonprofit organizations. These include some of New York and Connecticut’s most impactful hunger-focused missions, including City Harvest, Delivering God’s Love, and Person Two. People and River House Adult Day Center.
Hillside Food Outreach delivers free nutritious groceries twice a month to more than 2,000 low-income and limited-mobility residents in Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut. I am. Its customers include seniors who lack transportation and are unable to carry heavy shopping bags, veterans, people who are homebound due to disabilities, and patients suffering from chronic illnesses that require a healthy diet. included.
The grant award by the Stephen and Alexandra Cohen Foundation follows several initiatives led by Hillside Food Outreach to raise awareness for hunger relief. In April, the organization hosted its 15th annual charity “Dancing with Our Stars” contest, which has raised more than $330,000 to date. In March and February, Hillside partnered with New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano to deliver healthy food to local residents struggling to make ends meet. In November 2023, days before Thanksgiving, Hillside organized an effort to light up the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in bright orange, the symbolic color of hunger, and on November 15th, Westchester County officially celebrated It was recognized as “Hillside Food Outreach Day.” Westchester County Executive George Latimer.
Hillside will also host its annual Golf Classic on June 3rd at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, CT, and another Cuomo Bridge Lighting Ceremony for Hunger Awareness will be held on November 7th, 2024. It’s planned.
The number of New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity has skyrocketed, according to a recently released study by the New York State Department of Health. Approximately one in four adults in the state (24.9%) are at risk of hunger, resulting in malnutrition and increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and cancer. ing. New York’s unfortunate situation reflects a national problem, with more than 17 million American households suffering from food insecurity in 2022, the largest annual increase since the 2008 economic crisis.
These alarming trends coincide with an increase in demand for Hillside Food Outreach Services, which organizations are struggling to meet as resources for nonprofits are typically scarce. The organization relies heavily on donations and a network of more than 300 volunteers to bring nutritious food to hungry families, but even with a strong volunteer base, it’s difficult and more Volunteers and donations are always needed. Hillside Food Outreach has a waiting list of more than 100 families, and the organization receives pleas for additional help every day.
Hillside Food Outreach is headquartered in Mount Kisco, New York and can be contacted by calling (914) 747-0095 or by visiting hillsidefoodoutreach.org.
