Program Provides Restaurant Gift Cards To New Rochelle Residents

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City of New Rochelle and developers have launched a new meal program to help the city's most vulnerable residents with food during the new coronavirus crisis and to support restaurants impacted by state-mandated closing. "NourishALL," which sounds similar to New Rochelle, will provide people served by major community-based organizations with gift cards from local restaurants.

After a successful pilot program that included six agencies and six restaurants helping 300 residents, the program will expand to support more than 20 restaurants, 10 agencies and 1,000 residents.

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The idea for the program began with Ron Moelis, CEO of L+M Development Partners. L+M, along with Wilder Balter Partners Inc., is currently developing 14 LeCount Place. The two companies were the first to contribute toward the program.

RXR Realty is supporting the initiative through the RXR COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Moelis, who is a New Rochelle native, said he was proud to help provide food to people who need it during the health crisis.

"By engaging local restaurants at this critical moment, this initiative is also designed to help the vibrant businesses that contribute to the fabric of our community," he said.

Additional funding for the program has come other local developers and companies, including Cappelli Enterprises, Interfaith Dwellings Corporation, Mill Creek, Fisher Development, Simone, Property Resources Corporation, Zinrock Resources, The Residence, Jem Architecturals, MacQuesten and Allstate Ventures.

Walter Ritz of Hope Community Services said the NourishALL program has been well received by his clients and called it a "real win" for the community.

"They're thrilled to receive these gift cards at a time when food can feel uncertain," he said. "It's a perfect way to provide some comfort to our most in-need neighbors, while also supporting our local businesses."

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