IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

CONTACT: Nicole Cueto, NYC Department of Homeless Services

ncueto@dhs.nyc.gov / 917-434-5940

GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER NEW YORK REACH OUT TO NEW YORK’S HOMELESS THROUGH OPERATION COOKIE

8,400 cookies to be shared with residents at five New York City homeless shelters

NEW YORK—Today, Girl Scouts of Greater New York (GSGNY) brought more than 2,000 boxes of cookies to share with women at a homeless shelter in Queens through “Operation Cookie.” They were joined by NYC Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, representatives from the Department of Homeless Services, and residents of Pam’s Place Shelter. Operation Cookie allows Girl Scouts’ customers to purchase cookies for donation. Donated cookies are then distributed by GSGNY to share with organizations that service the community. Operation Cookie has been part of the GSGNY Cookie Program for 12 years and has distributed over 450,000 boxes of cookies.

“Operation Cookie has a double bottom line: it allows our Girl Scouts to continue to build their business skills and gives them, and their customers, the opportunity to make the world a better place by sharing the joy of Girl Scout Cookies with those who would otherwise not be able to get them,” said Girl Scouts of Greater New York CEO Barbara Murphy-Warrington. “We are happy to partner with the NYC Department of Homeless Services and give our girls the chance to support individuals and families living at local homeless shelters. We teach our girls the importance of community service and this partnership is a great example.”

Previously, GSGNY and Majority Leader Van Bramer have partnered with the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) by volunteering to serve Thanksgiving dinner to women living at Pam’s Place. This year is the first that DHS and GSGNY have partnered together on Operation Cookie, with a total of five shelters identified to receive these cookie donations. This year’s donations will provide 8,400 total boxes of cookies to five homeless shelters in New York City.

“We are proud to partner with Girl Scouts of Greater New York and other outstanding organizations across New York City that share our commitment to serving homeless New Yorkers,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “Like these young women, we encourage all of community leaders, young and old, to come together in support of homeless individuals and families.”

Initially, Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, who was briefly homeless as a child, connected GSGNY to DHS for Operation Cookie.

“Operation Cookie’s partnership with DHS is a true manifestation of the Girl Scout pledge: to be friendly, helpful, considerate, and caring, and to make the world a better place,” said Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. “The women who live in Pam’s Place are a part of our community—and what better way to show neighborly love than by delivering cookies? I’m pleased to be a part of what I hope is the first of many “cookie drops” here in New York City.”

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