Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Tackles Food Insecurity Through Community Partnerships, Meals Programs and Nutrition Education

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2026 – From providing hundreds of free meals and groceries to families in need to teaching children how to grow and prepare nutritious food, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is expanding its efforts to fight food insecurity through a growing network of community partnerships and innovative programs.

Working with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and corporate partners, the Club is helping ensure that children and families have access to nutritious meals and essential food resources. These efforts support the Club’s broader mission of promoting healthy lifestyles, academic achievement and social-emotional well-being while strengthening the New Rochelle community.

“Access to nutritious food is essential to the health, well-being and success of every child, and no family should have to struggle to put food on the table,” said Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. “Through the generosity and commitment of our community partners, we’re helping meet an immediate need while also teaching young people the value of healthy eating, nutrition and making positive choices. These partnerships demonstrate what we can accomplish when a community comes together to support its children and families.”

Among the Club’s recent initiatives and ongoing partnerships:

· Meals on Main Street Mobile Café: In August, the Club partnered with Meals on Main Street and the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound to bring free, nutritious food to over 200 families. They received hot meals, fresh groceries and pantry staples. Offerings included spinach gnocchi, grilled cheese sandwiches, tacos, fresh produce and bread.

· Free Meals for Club Youths: SuggarPlums Restaurant in New Rochelle provides 125 free meals every Tuesday and Thursday to young people attending the Club. Meals include meatball subs, chicken, rice, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables, providing reliable access to food during Club programming.

· Corporate and Community Food Donations: PepsiCo has supported the Club’s food assistance efforts, including the distribution of 1,000 ready-made meals and food items such as milk, juice and fruit. Volunteer New York! and Iona University partnered to put together 200 snack bags for Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle youths during the 9/11 Day of Volunteerism.

· Healthy Cooking and Nutrition Education: During summer 2026, a PepsiCo-funded initiative introduced elementary school students to healthy cooking, gardening and biology. At the Remington Clubhouse, Chef Georges Aines of the Culinary Institute of New York at Monroe University led hands-on cooking workshops in which children prepared fresh fruit smoothies, vegetable kebabs and veggie wraps. Students also learned food safety, hygiene, preparation techniques and basic cooking skills.

· Gardening and Giving Back: In partnership with the Lincoln Park Conservancy, Club members participated in garden education activities, growing vegetables and herbs to share with families in need. The experience helped children understand where food comes from while reinforcing the importance of community service and helping others. In addition, the Lincoln Park Conservancy donated fresh produce to more than 100 families at the Club’s Health and Wellness Expo co-sponsored by the Westchester County and Greater Hudson Valley chapters of The Links Inc., a nonprofit women’s advocacy organization.

· Thanksgiving Food Assistance: Planning, coordination and partnerships are progressing, focusing on providing meals, food bags and vouchers. During Thanksgiving 2025, the Club helped provide a total of 781 to New Rochelle families in need.

Together, these initiatives reflect the Club’s commitment to addressing food insecurity on multiple fronts: providing immediate assistance to families, ensuring young people have access to meals and helping children develop the knowledge and habits to make healthy choices throughout their lives.

“These efforts are about much more than food,” Mazzanobile said. “They’re about building stronger communities through connection, dignity and service. Every meal we provide, every family we help and every child we teach represents an investment in a healthier, stronger New Rochelle. We’re deeply grateful to the partners who make this work possible.”

About the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle

For 96 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 12,100 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.