City Harvest launches annual ‘Feed Our Kids’ food drive amid rising child hunger rates in NYC

City Harvest, one of the city’s leading food rescue organization, launched its 29th annual Feed Our Kids Food Drive, as child hunger continues to impact thousands of homes across New York City.

Beginning May 11 and running through June 15 the initiative will bring in nutritious, kid-friendly foods to support families during the summer months when access to free school meals diminishes.

According to a recent report, The State of Child Hunger in NYC report, one in four children in the city faces food insecurity. The report also highlights that NYC children and their families make over one million visits each month to food pantries, soup kitchens, and community food programs, underscoring the scale of the need.

“Nearly two-thirds of families with children in New York City are struggling to make ends meet,” said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest. “[The drive] is especially important now, as citywide visits to food pantries and soup kitchens are at record highs and we’re grappling with an ongoing affordability crisis in our city amidst significant economic uncertainty.”

Last year’s drive successfully collected over 150,000 pounds of nutritious, kid-friendly foods, which City Harvest distributed for free to families across all five boroughs during the summer months.File photo.

City Harvest representatives said the most needed items include canned fruits and vegetables, canned proteins like tuna and beans, peanut butter in plastic jars, packaged macaroni and cheese, cereals, soups, and juice packs.

City Harvest will be offering both in-person and virtual donation options. Supporters can collect non-perishable foods at schools, workplaces, or places of worship and arrange for pickup—note that donations must be at least 100 pounds for pickup.

Donations can be dropped off at FDNY firehouses, EMS stations, NYPD police stations, or Apple Bank locations throughout the city. For those preferring a virtual option, the #GiveHealthy initiative allows individuals to order fresh produce and non-perishables online, which are then delivered directly to City Harvest’s warehouse. Contributions of funds are also encouraged.

Since its founding in 1982, City Harvest has rescued over one billion pounds of nutritious food, providing free meals to millions of New Yorkers in need. File photo.

City Harvest often garners support from local sponsors and community partners including Rafael Toro, the national director of Public Relations at Goya Foods.

“Through our Goya Gives initiative, we are proud to once again contribute 40,000 pounds of Goya products to City Harvest’s Feed Our Kids Food Drive and stand with them in the fight against child hunger in New York City,” Toro said. “As a company committed to nourishing families for almost 90 years, we understand the vital importance of ensuring children have access to nutritious meals, especially during the summer months. We are honored to contribute to this critical initiative and help provide relief to families facing food insecurity.”

City agencies including the FDNY, will also be lending a helping hand.

“Ensuring our youngest and most vulnerable New Yorkers have access to healthy food is critically important to our city’s future,” said Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker.

New Yorkers looking to contribute can visit Feed Our Kids Food Drive online.