FOOD TO GO “TARGETS” KIDS AT RISK OF HUNGER WITH HEALTHY FOODS

FROM: Food Bank For New York City




MEDIA CONTACTS: Food Bank

Carol Schneider 212-566-7855, ext. 2231 cell: 646-831-3645

Lauren Peteroy 212-901-3937

Union Settlement Association

Sara Stuart 212-828-6024 or 917-566-1462



* * * MEDIA ADVISORY * * *



FOOD TO GO “TARGETS” KIDS

AT RISK OF HUNGER WITH HEALTHY FOODS



Food Bank For NYC & Union Settlement Assoc. Launch ‘Open Market’ BackPack Program to Feed Kids at Risk of Hunger on Weekends and Holidays While Teaching Good Nutrition



Unique Program Model is Supported by a Grant from Target



More than 60 children (aged 6 -12) will “shop” for their supper — and their breakfast and lunch — assisted by a dozen Target volunteers, at the launch the Food Bank For New York City’s “Open Market” BackPack Program, in partnership with Union Settlement Association. The program —the only one of its kind in the U.S. to feature the Open Market format — is designed to alleviate hunger among low-income children throughout New York City, and provides bags filled with healthy ‘take home’ food items to make balanced nutritious meals when other resources are not available, such as on weekends and holidays, and to educate kids about healthy food choices on Wednesday, October 27, 4pm, at Union Settlement Foundation, 237 East 104th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues), Manhattan.



Youngsters will shop for favorite foods up and down the Open Market aisles which are labeled — protein, dairy, fruit, vegetable, grain — to assist with nutrition education. Kids will also try their hand at cooking up a favorite recipe and participate in a physical activity.



More than one out of every four children in NYC (ages 17 and younger) lives below the poverty level. In East Harlem, 47% of children live in poverty. One in five New York City children relies on emergency food programs such as a soup kitchen or food pantry.



WHAT: Launch of “Open Market” BackPack Program to Address Childhood Hunger at Child’s Place of Residence.



WHO: 60 Children + Volunteers from Target

David Nocenti, Executive Director,Union SettlementAssociation

Carlos Rodriguez, Food Bank For New York City, VP Agency Relations & Benefit Access



WHEN: Wednesday, October 27, 4pm-5pm

WHERE: Union Settlement Association, 237 East 104th Street, Manhattan