Island Harvest Joins NBC4NY/Telemundo47 Helping Neighbors in Need

With the sustained impact of COVID-19 leading to rapidly growing food insecurity on Long Island, Island Harvest Food Bank is joining forces with NBC 4 New York/WNBC and Telemundo 47/WNJU as part of week-long Tri-State community appeal.

“COVID-19 has forced many people on Long Island to turn to emergency food programs to feed their families, and many people never sought help before,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank. “We are grateful to our partners NBC 4 New York/WNBC, Telemundo 47/WNJU 47, and Stop & Shop for helping us secure much-needed financial resources to serve people suddenly finding themselves turning the region’s food banks for help.”

Starting this morning and continuing through May 24, Long Island residents can make a financial donation to Island Harvest Food Bank by visiting WNBC’s Feeding our Families or WNJU’s Alimentando a Nuestras Familias on-line giving portals. Funds generated through the community appeal will help Island Harvest and all other Tri-State food banks restock shelves and supply non-perishable goods to pantries, agencies and other frontline, anti-hunger community organizations. Supporting Island Harvest Food Bank's efforts have never been easier, simply text HARVEST to 631-450-3775.

“This is a critical time for our food banks. They need our help right now,” said Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of WNBC. “Securing these important resources will help Tri-State food banks meet growing demand – and deliver even more nutritious food to the families who need it most. Our viewers have always been generous to those in need. Through Feeding our Families, I am certain that they will be there again.

WNBC and WNJU’s fundraising drive has been joined by Feeding our Families supermarket partner Stop & Shop and will support Island Harvest Food Bank along with eight other food banks in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. All nine are members of Feeding America, the nationwide network of food banks.

“The impact on the Tri-State’s Spanish-speaking communities has been unprecedented and for so many, it has become harder than ever to put food on the table,” said Cristina Schwarz, Telemundo 47 President and General Manager. Funds donated through Alimentando a Nuestras Familias will stay in the community, helping many families make it through these very difficult times. It really makes a big difference.”

For more information on the Feeding Our Families / Alimentando a Nuestras Familias digital drive, please visit NBCNewYork.com/fooddrive###/a### or ###a href="http://www.telemundo47.com/alimentar">telemundo47.com/alimentar