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Annual 5-Borough Challenge aims to provide 20 million meals by end of 2021 to New Yorkers in need

Cardboard Box packing with canned food donations
Photo via Getty Images

From now until Dec. 31 Food Bank For New York City is hosting its 2nd annual 5-Borough Challenge with longtime partner Bank of America, and media partners iHeartMedia, Univision and WNBC.

The 5-Borough Challenge is a campaign that has a goal of providing 20 million meals by the end of this year to New Yorkers in need. Their plan is to have five teams in each borough in NYC and raise $20,000 each. Additionally Bank of America will match the total of $100,000 in order to have a grand total of $200,000. All the contributions will go to Food Bank For New York City

“The 5-Borough Challenge is our way of saying that we’ve got you, that no matter what challenges get thrown your way, New Yorkers will always stand together to support their own.” says Leslie Gordon, President & CEO of Food Bank For New York City.   

Multiple celebrities and influencers who reside in New York will take part in this campaign and show off their home-borough pride on their social media to encourage their fans and friends to join and donate for those who are in need. Celebrities and Influencers who joined the campaign include Omar Epps, Julie Chen, Drea de Matteo, Alyssa Milano, New York Nico, Selita Ebanks, Angie Martinez and Angela Yee. 

All of them will be working in teams as well. This year, Aaron Boone and TT Torrez will represent Team Bronx; Tracy Morgan and Omar Epps will represent Team Brooklyn; Julie Chen and Drea de Matteo will represent Team Queens; Alyssa Milano and Selita Ebanks will represent Team Staten Island; and New York Nico will represent Team Manhattan.  

The US economy is still experiencing fallout from the pandemic and have put lots of people laid off from work which increased the need for assistance. There are still 1.6 million residents of New York who rely on food pantries and resources offered by Food Bank. 

iHeartMedia, Univision and WNBS will take part in this challenge and will provide station influencers and DJs to promote this campaign on air and digitally up till the end of this year. Diosa Caro, Chris Mambo, Angie Martinez and Angela Yee are the ones who will be included in this challenge. 

“We are so grateful for our team captains, iHeartMedia, Univision, WNBC and our longtime friends at Bank of America for helping us to provide hot meals across the five boroughs this holiday season,” said Gordon.

 And as a long time partner  Bank of America New York City Market executive Connie Verducci announced that they are happy to “…keep this tradition alive as sponsor of the 5-Borough Challenge.” 

If you wish to support Food Bank For NYC on this campaign, please visit the 5-Borough Challenge website.