Food Bank For New York City Raises $1.4 Million For Hunger Relief at Star-Studded Annual Can-Do Awards Dinner

Emeril Lagasse, Bank of America, Wakefern/ShopRite, St. John’s Bread and Life Honored for Commitment to Hunger-Relief

New York, NY (April 21, 2010) – Food Bank For New York City raised $1.4 million at its Eighth Annual Can-Do Awards Dinner and commemorated 27 years serving New Yorkers in need, on Tuesday evening, April 20, 2010 at Abigail Kirshch’s Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers, Manhattan.  Legendary chef and food innovator Emeril Lagasse, Bank of America Charitable Foundation President Kerry Sullivan, Wakefern/Shoprite Executive Vice President Joseph Sheridan and St. John’s Bread and Life Executive Director Anthony Butler were honored for their commitment to hunger relief.  Michael Stipe served as Honorary Dinner Chair. Mario Batali and Susan Cahn co-chaired the event.  Stanley Tucci acted as Master of Ceremonies. The Piers rocked with the musical performances provided by Buckwheat Zydeco (and yes, honorary guest, Emeril Lagasse!). 

More than 800 people came out to support the Food Bank’s fight against hunger, including a galaxy of stars, among them The Edge, Mario Batali, Stanley Tucci, Rachael Ray, Ted Allen, Sandra Lee, NY Jet Calvin Pace, NY Giant Chris Canty, Anthony Bourdain, Tom Colicchio, Helena Christensen, Mariska Hargitay, Mick Rock, David Burke, Salman Rushdie, Mike D., Katie Lee, and Josh Charles.

Auctioneer Lydia Fenet of Christie’s took the room to an all-time high for the live auction which raised $250,000.  The high bid on the auction block was a whopping $100,000 for “The Three Tenors” (none of whom actually sing!).  It’s a magnificent dinner at the high-bidder’s home prepared by Mario Batali, Tom Colicchio and David Chang three of the best chefs in the country. Not to mention the fabulous wine they will be bringing – truly something to sing about! Other auction items included President Bill Clinton’s signed saxophone; a private luxury box for 22 for baseball’s biggest rivalry – the legendary ‘Subway Series,” donated by Bank of America; a luxury cruise to Alaska and a rockin’ weekend in Rome to see U2’s last show of their 360 World Tour. 

“Each of our 2010 Can-Do Award honorees has demonstrated an uncompromising commitment to ending hunger.  We applaud them for their efforts.  I believe that hunger is curable.  It takes the kind of energy, commitment and resources that each of these honorees has exhibited to make it happen,” said Lucy Cabrera, President and CEO of the Food Bank For New York City. “With the ongoing support of individuals like you, all New Yorkers can have a future where hunger is a thing of the past.”

Emeril Lagasse — chef, restaurateur, television personality and author — has demonstrated steadfast support for the Food Bank and its effort to end hunger in New York City.  Whether creating a lunchbox for the Food Bank’s inaugural Lunchbox Auction in 2005 or continually boosting the Food Bank’s financial bottom line by participating in several Can-Do Awards Dinner Auctions, Emeril’s contributions to raising awareness of hunger in New York City are immeasurable. Further, Lagasse has dedicated his time, talents and abundant enthusiasm to inspire, mentor, and enable hundreds of young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive and creative individuals.

“Children’s nutrition is very near and dear to my heart." says Emeril Lagasse. “It is a great pleasure to help New York area kids with the Food Bank. We share in our commitment to inspire and help kids—especially those who are disadvantaged—live better, healthier lives.”

Said Kerry Sullivan, President of Bank of America Charitable Foundation, “ While providing financial support is a key element of our partnership with the Food Bank, at Bank of America, we are not just about writing checks. Our associates have logged hundred of volunteer hours packing more than 33,000 pounds of food at the Food Bank’s Hunts Point warehouse, seeing firsthand the incredible impact this organization has had in the community.”

“We are humbled to stand beside the Food Bank For New York City in their tireless efforts to fight hunger. Their staff is on the front lines, providing millions of meals to hungry New Yorkers,” said Joe Sheridan, Executive Vice President of Wakefern Food Corp.
 
The Can-Do Awards Dinner is instrumental in helping to provide support for the 1.3 million New Yorkers who rely on soup kitchens and food pantries to survive. Every dollar donated to the Food Bank helps provide five meals. This is a crucially important year for the Can-Do Gala as the unemployment rate hits an all-time high of 10 percent. That’s more than double the city’s 4.8 percent unemployment rate at the start of the recession, and higher than the national average of 9.7 percent. And the need continues to rise. More than nine out of 10 food assistance sites have witnessed an increase in first-time clients. The number of New York City residents having difficulty affording needed food is 3.3 million, a 60 percent increase since 2003 — and representing 40 percent of all New York City residents. 

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 27 years as the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.  As the city’s hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — emergency food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of approximately 1,000 food assistance programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 300,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank’s hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. Every dollar donated to the Food Bank helps provide five meals to New Yorkers in need. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.