BCW “Going Orange” to End Hunger in Westchester

BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon was among the dignitaries – all many wearing orange – who joined with Food Bank for Westchester on Tuesday to help the county’s leading hunger relief organization kick off Hunger Action Month with the 4th annual “Go Orange to End Hunger” Campaign.

Gordon, wearing a bright orange dress for the occasion, urged the Westchester business community to step up and participate in any way they can to raise awareness of hunger in Westchester during Hunger Action Month. “We will be reaching out to our members to get involved whether it’s starting a food and funds drive at their office, volunteering at Food Bank for Westchester or making a donation. Every $1 donated helps obtain 4 meals for people in need,” she said noting that this week’s e-blast would be colored in orange as well.

The press conference announcing the launch of the campaign was attended by Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino, State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and White Plains Mayor Tom Roach. Mayor Spano challenged the Mayors of White Plains, New Rochelle and Mount Vernon to take the “SNAP Challenge (also known as the Food Stamp Challenge) for one week. For this challenge, an individual chooses to purchase food using only the monetary equivalent of what a family that size would receive in the federal government Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The challenge is one of the best ways to learn about the nutrition hurdles that low-income Americans face every day. The New York State maximum allotment is $194 per month (some people might get less). That equals out to be about $194 per month, $6.46 a day for three meals, or $2.15 a meal.

“We are ‘Painting Westchester Orange’ this September to make hunger top of mind and encourage everyone to get involved in any way they can,” said Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank for Westchester. “Suburban poverty is a reality, especially in the affluent county of Westchester. Celebrating Hunger Action Month starts by taking action against hunger. All you need to do is help raise awareness of hunger as a problem. Besides visibly promoting the color orange, individuals can also host food drives, take part in volunteer efforts, and make monetary donations to help to battle this epidemic in our neighborhoods.”

To learn more about Hunger Action Month and for a complete listing of activities, please visit www.foodbankforwestchester.org.