Hunger Mitao Week in New York from August 11-18

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Food Bank For New York City’s Indian American Council (IAC) is coordinating NYC’s first ever Hunger Mitao Week (August 11-18), bringing together leaders from the city’s Indian American community in an unprecedented effort to fight hunger.

Hunger Mitao Week is part of a national effort by the Indian American Council to fight food insecurity across the United States by mobilizing the Indian American community around the motto “Hunger Mitao!” (meaning Wipe out Hunger). This weeklong community service effort is held to coincide with India’s Independence Day on August 15^th, according to a press release.

“In the spirit of ‘give where you live,’ the Indian American community – led by IAC – has enabled over 6 million meals for food insecure people across the USA in less than two years,” said Raj Asava, IAC co-founder, in a statement.

“To build on this momentum, we launched the ‘Hunger Mitao Week’ (August 11-18), the week of India’s Independence Day,” said Anna Asava, co-founder of IAC, in a statement. “Going forward, it is our vision that India’s Independence Day, August 15, is also celebrated as ‘Independence from Hunger Day!’”

“It’s an honor to be working with Food Bank For New York City to provide millions of meals for New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity. Hunger Mitao Week is an important opportunity to make real change and help millions,” added Payal Sharma, Co-Chair of Food Bank For New York City’s Indian American Council and Managing Partner of Baar Baar restaurant.

To commemorate Hunger Mitao Week, IAC supporters Rakesh and Meenu Bhargava are matching donations to Food Bank dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000 between now and August 31, a partnership that could lead to an additional 100,000 meals for New Yorkers in need. You can give by visiting foodbanknyc.org/hungermitao.

“Fighting hunger in New York City requires leadership from every community,” said Margarette Purvis, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City. “We are thrilled to be working with the Indian American Council on Hunger Mitao Week and are sincerely grateful for their commitment to our mission. At a time when 1 in 5 New Yorkers relies on a food pantry or soup kitchen, this work is incredibly important.”

In order to provide hands-on volunteering experience, Food Bank for New York City is offering the following opportunities at its sites: Dinner Service on Aug. 12-16; Senior Breakfast on Aug. 12-16; “Shop & Stock” at Food Bank For New York City’s Food Pantry (252 W 116th Street) on August 13-17; “Farm 2 Food Bank” with Grow NYC Greenmarkets (Union Square) on August 12-17.

For more than 35 years, Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs. Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank for food and other resources. Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers.

Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for approximately 58 million free meals per year for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank For New York City’s income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $84million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence.

Food Bank’s nutrition education programs and services empower more than 50,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet and active lifestyle on a limited budget. Working toward long-term solutions to food poverty, Food Bank develops policy and conducts research to inform community and government efforts.