Tag:

Food Insecurity

Hamilton Township, NJ
Schools
More Than 60K NJ Families Now Eligible For Free School Meals More Than 60K NJ Families Now Eligible For Free School Meals
More Than 60K NJ Families Now Eligible For Free School Meals A new law will make thousands of New Jersey students newly eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law on Tuesday, Jan. 16, expanding the eligibility for free meals to more than 60,000 additional families.  According to the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, public and non-public schools in the National School Lunch Program or federal School Breakfast Program will provide meals to students in households with an income of up to 224 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill signing comes after Gov. Murphy renewed his push for f…

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by Chris Spiker
Poughkeepsie, NY
Politics
Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm
Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm Despite the region’s first major storm of the winter season dropping more than a foot of snow in parts of the Hudson Valley, more than 350 guests attended the swearing-in of a new county executive. The swearing-in event for Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino was held on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Dutchess Community College’s Aviation Education Center at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappinger.  “I am so honored and humbled to be with you all as I take my ceremonial Oath of Office for this position," Serino said. "As I get to work for Dutchess County, I want to thank each and every on…

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by Kathy Reakes
White Plains, NY
Politics
$2.4B Westchester Budget For 2024 Signed By County Exec Latimer: Here's What's In It $2.4B Westchester Budget For 2024 Signed By County Exec Latimer: Here's What's In It
$2.4B Westchester Budget For 2024 Signed By County Exec Latimer: Here's What's In It Westchester County Executive George Latimer has officially signed the county's 2024 budget.  The budget, which totals $2.4 billion, was signed by Latimer on Monday afternoon, Dec. 11 following its passage by the Westchester County Board of Legislators earlier in the day.  According to county officials, the new budget maintains the same property tax levy as 2023, which means it is the fifth consecutive year without a levy increase.  The budget also includes additions approved by the Board of Legislator's Budget & Appropriations Committee. These additions to the …

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by Ben Crnic
Vernon-Rockville, CT
Business
Haven Hot Chicken To Celebrate Grand Opening Of 'Delicious, Convenient Spot' In CT Haven Hot Chicken To Celebrate Grand Opening Of 'Delicious, Convenient Spot' In CT
Haven Hot Chicken To Celebrate Grand Opening Of 'Delicious, Convenient Spot' In CT A popular eatery will soon bring its signature brand of hot fried chicken to a college campus in Connecticut.  Haven Hot Chicken, a franchise known for its Nashville Hot Chicken, will be opening its fifth location on Saturday, Nov. 18 in Storrs, Connecticut at 1206 Storrs Rd., which is within walking distance to the University of Connecticut's Storrs campus. The 2,000-square-foot location will offer the franchise's signature menu of crispy fried chicken, fries, sides such as banana pudding or garlic dill pickles, and even vegetarian options such as the "Not Chicken Sandwich." …

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by Ben Crnic
Quincy, MA
Neighbors
Mass College Grad Raises Over $20K For Charity Through Game-Based Competition Series Mass College Grad Raises Over $20K For Charity Through Game-Based Competition Series
Mass College Grad Raises Over $20K For Charity Through Game-Based Competition Series In a world full of menial methods for giving back to charity, one recent college graduate decided to flip the philanthropic industry on its head by launching his own company. Synpact, which was founded by recent Babson College graduate Dylan McNamara, "is a social enterprise that elevates the giving experience through entertainment, transparency, community, and incentives."  The startup venture is committed to revolutionizing the philanthropic industry and redefining the power of collective impact. An example of Synpact’s mission was their inaugural “Give & Game” event, which McNamara …

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by David Cifarelli
White Plains, NY
Business
New Eatery Quickly Making Mark In White Plains New Eatery Quickly Making Mark In White Plains
New Eatery Quickly Making Mark In White Plains A new Westchester coffee shop founded with the purpose of donating all profits to nonprofit organizations has awarded its first grants to charities that were selected by customers.  The Pamplemousse Project, located in White Plains at 124 Mamaroneck Ave. (Route 125), and named after a nickname for the owners' dog, opened in December 2022 with a plan to donate all profits to charity organizations.  Earlier Report - New Philanthropic Coffee Shop In White Plains Celebrates Official Grand Opening Now, several months after opening, that plan has come to fruition, as the cafe anno…

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by Ben Crnic
New City, NY
Sports
Ex-Giants To Help Stop & Shop Deliver Thanksgiving Turkeys To Food Bank of Hudson Valley Ex-Giants To Help Stop & Shop Deliver Thanksgiving Turkeys To Food Bank of Hudson Valley
Ex-Giants To Help Stop & Shop Deliver Thanksgiving Turkeys To Food Bank of Hudson Valley Ex-Giants players helped Stop & Shop launch its annual Turkey Express program by delivering 500 Thanksgiving turkeys to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. The kickoff was held in Rockland County on Tuesday,  Nov. 1, in Nanuet where former New York Giants running back alum Joe Morris and wide receiver Stephen Baker worked alongside Stop & Shop associates to deliver 500 Thanksgiving turkeys. During the initiative, Stop & Shop will deliver 25,000 Thanksgiving turkeys, equaling a total of nearly 400,000 pounds, to 30 community partners and hunger relief organizations acro…

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by Kathy Reakes
Massapequa, NY
Business
Popular Restaurant Chain Sets Opening Date For New Location In Woodbury Popular Restaurant Chain Sets Opening Date For New Location In Woodbury
Popular Restaurant Chain Sets Opening Date For New Location In Woodbury A restaurant chain known for its salad creations is gearing up to open its second Long Island location. Sweetgreen is set to open a new restaurant in Woodbury on Tuesday, Nov. 1, representatives announced. The eatery will donate a meal to Island Harvest, an organization that assists Long Island families experiencing food insecurity, for every meal sold on opening day. The 2,885 square-foot restaurant, located at 7969 Jericho Turnpike, will accommodate 28 guests inside and also have a large seasonal patio. Sweetgreen also commissioned New York-based artist Aliyah Salmon to c…

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by Nicole Valinote
Bristol, PA
News
Former Eagle Brian Westbrook Bags Groceries At Philly ShopRite Former Eagle Brian Westbrook Bags Groceries At Philly ShopRite
Former Eagle Brian Westbrook Bags Groceries At Philly ShopRite Eagles great Brian Westbrook met shoppers and fans alike at a ShopRite grocery store in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Oct. 19.  Westbrook, who played in Philly from 2002 through 2009, helped ShopRite staff bag groceries and made small talk with passersby as part of an effort to raise awareness of food insecurity.  ShopRite has pledged to address hunger and food insecurity in the communities where it does business.  In September, the company pledged to raise $1.5 Million for local hunger-fighting organizations, according to its website. 

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by Mac Bullock
Massapequa, NY
Business
Popular Restaurant Chain To Open First Long Island Location In Garden City Popular Restaurant Chain To Open First Long Island Location In Garden City
Popular Restaurant Chain To Open First Long Island Location In Garden City A restaurant chain known for its build-your-own salads is coming to Long Island. Sweetgreen will open its first Long Island location in Garden City on Tuesday, Oct. 18, representatives announced.  The 2,600 square-foot restaurant is located at 191 Seventh St. Suite B and will feature an indoor dining area that seats up to 26 guests, along with an outdoor area that seats 18. Representatives said for every meal sold on opening day, the eatery will donate a meal to Island Harvest to assist Long Island families experiencing food insecurity.  Sweetgreen also commissioned&nb…

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by Nicole Valinote
Bowie, MD
Lifestyle
Local Efforts Bring Baby Formula To Prince George's County: Report Local Efforts Bring Baby Formula To Prince George's County: Report
Local Efforts Bring Baby Formula To Prince George's County: Report National and local efforts to combat the nation's baby formula shortage are bringing out the best in organizations both big and small.  The White House is working "24/7" to help feed babies after President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act after the national infant formula shortage, reports Fox News. The act orders Defense Department aircrafts to pick up formula from overseas to combat the shortage in what they are calling "Operation Fly Formula," the outlet reports. Meanwhile, one Maryland non-profit organization is trying to help out at the local level.  Starting today, we wi…

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by Annie DeVoe
Mount Pleasant, NY
Business
Stop & Shop Celebrates Grand Reopening Of Area Store Stop & Shop Celebrates Grand Reopening Of Area Store
Stop & Shop Celebrates Grand Reopening Of Area Store A Stop & Shop location in the Hudson Valley is celebrating its grand reopening with a fresh new look to go along with the grocer’s produce. Stop & Shop unveiled its recently remodeled store on Burnett Boulevard in Poughkeepsie, with refreshed produce, seafood departments, more freshly prepared food, curbside pickup, and self-checkout options. According to store officials, the facelift is “centered around delivering fresh, healthy, and convenient options to make grocery shopping easier for local customers.” The new store includes a newly expanded produce section with a wider variet…

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by Zak Failla
Tappan-Blauvelt, NY
Politics
Rockland Democrats Decide On County Executive Candidate Rockland Democrats Decide On County Executive Candidate
Rockland Democrats Decide On County Executive Candidate A longtime lawyer and activist announced that she will be throwing her hat in the ring to challenge Rockland County Executive Ed Day, becoming the first - and possibly only - Democrat to do so. Attorney L'Tanya Watkins, a Spring Valley resident, announced that she plans to run against Day, a two-term Republican, after submitting a petition with nearly 1,500 signatures to qualify to run on the Democratic and Working Families lines. The number of signatures Watkins secured was more than double what's required to run for county executive in Rockland. “We need a County Executive here in Rockla…

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by Zak Failla
Massapequa, NY
Politics
Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers
Cuomo Proposes Raising Taxes On Wealthiest NYers With New York facing a record-setting $15 billion deficit amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal includes a potential tax hike for the state’s wealthiest residents. In his budget proposal this week, Cuomo proposed raising taxes on the rich to a combined level of 14.7 percent, which would be the highest state and local tax rate in the nation as New York looks to dig out of the financial hole created during the pandemic. The top tax rate would rise to 10.86 percent, up from 8.82 percent, making it the highest income tax in the nation. It would only impact those making…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
Politics
Essential Services Won't Be Cut In 2021 Westchester Budget, Latimer Says Essential Services Won't Be Cut In 2021 Westchester Budget, Latimer Says
Essential Services Won't Be Cut In 2021 Westchester Budget, Latimer Says Despite the economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Westchester County Executive George Latimer has proposed a new budget that includes a property tax cut without cutting any essential services. Latimer said that the budget proposal will include a $15 million cut in total spending while cutting the property tax levy by $1 million for the second straight year. The tax reduction comes with no increase to the county’s sales tax, there will be no layoffs or reduction in essential services in Westchester. According to Latimer, the county was able to balance this year’s budget w…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant, NY
Business
Stop & Shop Celebrates Grand Reopening Of Store In Westchester Stop & Shop Celebrates Grand Reopening Of Store In Westchester
Stop & Shop Celebrates Grand Reopening Of Store In Westchester An upgraded Westchester Stop & Shop location boasts a new look, expanded floor space for produce, more prepared food offerings and online pickup and delivery options for customers.  The North White Plains store, located at 670 North Broadway, will open its doors to shoppers on Friday, Sept. 4. “We’re excited to share our newly remodeled store with the community,” said Jim Rao, Store Manager of the North White Plains, NY, Stop & Shop. “We’ve added more of what our local customers want – fresh produce, specialty cheeses, and seafood – plus lots of convenient meal solutions. …

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by Christina Coulter
Norwalk, CT
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Food Bank Drive Draws Hundreds In Norwalk COVID-19: Food Bank Drive Draws Hundreds In Norwalk
Covid-19: Food Bank Drive Draws Hundreds In Norwalk Hundreds of cars lined up to receive food during a special drive-thru event sponsored by the Connecticut Food Bank as a result of rising need during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). With thousands out of work, and children not receiving meals in school, food insecurity is on the rise, including in Fairfield County, where the Connecticut Food Bank has held two events within the past two weeks. On Thursday, May 14, the bank set-up a mobile food pantry at Veteran's Memorial Park in Norwalk that attracted hundreds an hour before the event was set to begin. Set to begin at 10 a.m., volunteers…

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by Kathy Reakes
New Canaan, CT
News
4-CT Quickly Makes An Impact, Granting $1 Million Total To Foodshare, Connecticut Foodbank 4-CT Quickly Makes An Impact, Granting $1 Million Total To Foodshare, Connecticut Foodbank
4-CT Quickly Makes An Impact, Granting $1 Million Total To Foodshare, Connecticut Foodbank In the past month well over a quarter-million unemployment claims have been filed in the state of Connecticut amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The financial strain many face has led to unprecedented calls on the state’s food banks, who are working diligently with fewer volunteers to deliver groceries to the many more in need. 4-CT, the Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection, a Fairfield County-based independent 501-(c)3 organization launched April 1 that provides financial support to nonprofits serving all areas impacted by COVID-19, has proven pivotal to Foodshare and Con…

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by Vira Mamchur Schwartz
North Salem, NY
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Westchester Church Launches Free Grocery Delivery Service For Members Unable To Shop COVID-19: Westchester Church Launches Free Grocery Delivery Service For Members Unable To Shop
Covid-19: Westchester Church Launches Free Grocery Delivery Service For Members Unable To Shop During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), churches across the country might not be able to attend services together, but they are still doing the good works including one Westchester church which is delivering groceries for those in need. Grace/La Gracia Episcopal Church in White Plains, decided to come up with ways to reach not only its congregation during the pandemic but those in need throughout the community. The nearly 200-year-old Anglo-Catholic parish has also formed a new free delivery service of groceries for members- those unable to shop; and therefore in great need, said the …

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by Kathy Reakes
White Plains, NY
News
COVID-19: Free, Drive-Through Food Distributed At Westchester Community College COVID-19: Free, Drive-Through Food Distributed At Westchester Community College
Covid-19: Free, Drive-Through Food Distributed At Westchester Community College Volunteers took over Westchester Community College this week, hosting a free drive-through food distribution drive for families in need. Feeding Westchester was at the college’s campus in Valhalla for several hours this week handing out bags with a variety of food options for families. Each vehicle that visited the drive-through received a package that would feed a family of four for up to five days. It was limited to Westchester County residents. During the food drive, cars would pull up, and volunteers would simply place the groceries in the trunk and the driver was free to leave. There…

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by Zak Failla
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Schools
Coronavirus Doesn’t Stop Filling in Blanks From Feeding Fairfield County School Children Coronavirus Doesn’t Stop Filling in Blanks From Feeding Fairfield County School Children
Coronavirus Doesn’t Stop Filling in Blanks From Feeding Fairfield County School Children Thousands of school children in Connecticut's richest county are hungry on the weekends. Nonprofit Filling in the Blanks (FIB) has strived to fill those bellies and on a typical Friday would have free take-home meals for Saturday and Sunday available to 2,500 children — all of whom rely on free or reduced-price lunch to meet their nutritional needs while school is in session. But March 20 was not your typical Friday: No school was in session and the organization's co-founders/co-directors Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer scrambled to make alternate plans so their usual weekend meal recipients …

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by Donna Christopher
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Lifestyle
With Everyone Pitching In Coronavirus Won't Stop These Groups From Feeding Hungry With Everyone Pitching In Coronavirus Won't Stop These Groups From Feeding Hungry
With Everyone Pitching In Coronavirus Won't Stop These Groups From Feeding Hungry The coronavirus won't stop people from being hungry in lower Fairfield County where 15,000 families ordinarily rely on food pantry supplies for their meals. The elderly, too afraid to go out, might already be running out of food and added to that list, a local social service agency employee worries, Nothing has changed in terms of need so a robust effort is underway among social service organizations to keep the food supplies available to the most vulnerable, Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County Executive Director Kate Lombardo stressed on Friday, March 19 as we prepare to shut-in for the we…

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by Donna Christopher
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Schools
Fairfield County Based Group Fills Gap For Hungry Students Fairfield County Based Group Fills Gap For Hungry Students
Fairfield County Based Group Fills Gap For Hungry Students Imagine the anxiety a child feels when he's "insecure" about where his next meal will be. Even kids in Fairfield County's pricey zip codes live with the worry. Based on data compiled during the past school year, there are schools in Fairfield, Greenwich, Norwalk and Stamford with at least 50 percent of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) school nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, according to the Connecticut State Department of Education. Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if the househ…

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by Donna Christopher
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Lifestyle
Fairfield Non-Profit Lifts Families In Crisis Fairfield Non-Profit Lifts Families In Crisis
Fairfield Non-Profit Lifts Families In Crisis If you lost your job or got divorced and suddenly were down to one paycheck to pay the family bills what would you do? Imagine one person dying or becoming ill in a two-income family. Where do they turn? There's an organization based in Darien that steps up to help people in dire circumstances. Emergency financial assistance is available to residents of Southern Fairfield County through grants and loans from Person-to-Person. The volunteer-run non-profit helps individuals and families who lack basic necessities or resources. People who seek the service are in a temporary crisis or livi…

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by Donna Christopher
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Politics
Politics Around CT: Haskell Town Hall, Pelosi Stumps In Capitol, LGBTQ Legislation Passes Politics Around CT: Haskell Town Hall, Pelosi Stumps In Capitol, LGBTQ Legislation Passes
Politics Around CT: Haskell Town Hall, Pelosi Stumps In Capitol, LGBTQ Legislation Passes Will Haskell, the youngest-ever Senator elected to the Statehouse, is holding a Town Hall meeting on Monday, June 17, at the Wilton Library.  Haskell announced that his "community conversation" will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road in Wilton. The meeting happens to be 11 days before Haskell's 23rd birthday. The Westport Democrat, who represents the 26th District, announced his candidacy during his senior year of college at Georgetown. He ran on a platform of restoring tolls to highways, paid family leave and tougher gun control laws.  Toll…

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by Jon Craig
Poughkeepsie, NY
Lifestyle
American Heart Association Names HRHCare CMO As Co-Chair Of New Community Impact Committee American Heart Association Names HRHCare CMO As Co-Chair Of New Community Impact Committee
American Heart Association Names Hrhcare CMO As Co-Chair Of New Community Impact Committee Hudson River Health Care (HRHCare) is pleased to announce that HRHCare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sophia McIntyre has been named Co-Chair of the American Heart Association’s new Community Impact Committee (CIC). This committee is tasked with building a culture of health in the Westchester community, while improving cardiovascular health for all. The CIC is a standing committee of the Westchester American Heart Regional Board and is responsible for advising the Board on local and statewide health issues related to cardiovascular disease and on programs it supports or initiates. After completi…

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Content Partner: HRHCare Community Health
Hackensack, NJ
News
THIS WEEKEND: Hackensack's Deputy Mayor Giving Away Free Turkeys THIS WEEKEND: Hackensack's Deputy Mayor Giving Away Free Turkeys
This Weekend: Hackensack's Deputy Mayor Giving Away Free Turkeys Giving thanks is about giving back for Hackensack Deputy Mayor David Sims.  For the second year in a row, Sims will be giving Thanksgiving turkeys to local families in need as part of of Hackensack Jr. Basketball’s (HJB) Turkey Give-A-Way. The deputy mayor will be in Carver Park on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. until noon. Recipients have been selected in advance by local churches and organizations and vouchers have been distributed.  Last year, 140 turkeys were distributed. Participating organizations this year include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Be…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lyndhurst, NJ
Neighbors
Lyndhurst College Student Struggles To Make Ends Meet After Dad’s Death Lyndhurst College Student Struggles To Make Ends Meet After Dad’s Death
Lyndhurst College Student Struggles To Make Ends Meet After Dad’s Death LYNDHURST, N.J. – A Lyndhurst college student is struggling to afford housing, food and a funeral service for her father after his sudden death. Dennis McDonnell died on January 9, his daughter Betty Marie McDonnell wrote on a GoFundMe page she created to raise funds for his funeral. “My mother is not in the picture and I have been living alone with my father since as long as I can remember,” Betty wrote, adding that her father was on disability and she took care of him. “He was not only my father, but my best friend,” she wrote. Betty said she is now “caught in a situation where I will b…

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by Lauren Kidd Ferguson