Release #426-00

 

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Michael Anton/Julie Caudell 212/788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI KICKS OFF CITY HARVEST AND DAILY NEWS'
17th ANNUAL CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Fire Houses and Police Precincts to Serve as Drop-Off Points

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and Schools Chancellor Harold Levy today helped launch the 17th annual citywide Daily News Readers Care to Feed the Hungry Canned Food Drive by making canned food donations at the Duane Street Fire House in Lower Manhattan. The Daily News' food drive is part of City Harvest's "Harvest Season", which runs from October to January, during which City Harvest expects to collect more than two million pounds of food for the city's emergency food programs. The Daily News' Food Drive will collect non-perishables from November 13 to December 31, 2000.

Also joining Mayor Giuliani were City Harvest Executive Director Julia Erickson and Mitchell Modell, President of Modell's Sporting Goods, sponsors of this year's food drive.

"I am honored to be here as we kick off the 17th annual Daily News Readers Care to Feed the Hungry Canned Food Drive," said Mayor Giuliani. "Not only is this the largest single food drive in New York, but City Harvest is the largest and oldest food rescue organization in the world. It is wonderful for the City that we can all work together for this very important cause, because together we've been getting results."

"For those of us fortunate enough not to have to worry about where our next meal will come from, this food drive gives us the chance to do our part by helping our fellow New Yorkers. Of course, the most important thing about this effort is the food that's collected, and the relief it brings to people in need. But we shouldn't forget that the food drive also helps to bring our City together," the Mayor continued.

Last year, the Daily News Readers Care to Feed the Hungry Canned Food Drive collected 30,000 pounds of canned goods for shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens in the five boroughs.

New York City Police Precincts and Firehouses, as well as many churches, synagogues, schools, entertainment venues and workplaces, will open their doors as City Harvest collection sites in every community. The lobby of the Daily News, and all Modell's Sporting Goods stores in New York City will also serve as drop-off points.

City Harvest regularly distributes food to more than 500 emergency food programs which helps to feed more than 140,000 people every week.

The Daily News Readers Care to Feed the Hungry Canned Food Drive is sponsored by City Harvest, the Daily News, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Fire Department, and Modell's Sporting Goods.

www.nyc.gov