Press Release Archives - #573-96 City Harvest's 13th Annual Food Drive

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 6, 1996

Release #573-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Martin Barreto (212) 788-3256

MAYOR GIULIANI KICKS OFF CITY HARVEST’S 13TH ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE

Canned Food Campaign Will Help Feed 60,000 New Yorkers Each Week

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today launched the 13th annual City Harvest food drive by making the first canned food donation at a ceremony held at the Duane Street Fire Station in Manhattan. Joining Mayor Giuliani at the kickoff were City Harvest Executive Director Julia Erickson, Daily News Vice President John Campi, Police Commissioner Howard Safir, Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and high school students from the Park West High School Culinary Arts program.

Mayor Giuliani said, “Today we begin the holiday season by committing ourselves to this vitally important drive. This year let’s go one step further not only by doing our part, but by encouraging others to help. For thousands of families and individuals, this City Harvest campaign represents the difference between happy holidays and going to bed hungry. By each donating at least one can of food we can help make this a hunger-free holiday season for people in need.

“City Harvest deserves the thanks and appreciation of all New Yorkers for leading this important effort. By participating in this united drive with the Daily News, Police and Fire Departments, and Modell’s Sporting Goods we can take-on what would be impossible for one organization to accomplish alone,” the Mayor added. Julia A. Erickson, Executive Director of City Harvest, said, “This drive represents a powerful partnership of the private, public, and non-profit sectors, with the Daily News as our generous lead sponsor for the last 13 years. Most crucial to our success are the people of New York -- especially some of our youngest citizens gathered here -- who give so generously to help their fellow New Yorkers.”

Last year, City Harvest’s canned food holiday drive collected and distributed 13 tons of donated food to shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens in the five boroughs. In 1995, City Harvest collected a total of 270 tons of non-perishable foods from more than a thousand corporate and individual sponsors. City Harvest delivers food to 200 emergency food programs in New York City, helping to feed more than 60,000 people every week. New York City police stations and firehouses will open their doors as City Harvest collection sites in every community. The lobby of The Daily News and all the Modell’s Sporting Goods stores in New York City will serve as drop-off points.