NYCCAH: ANNUAL REPORT 09-10
FINDING THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUNGER AND DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE THEM
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The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) represents and is the voice for the more than 1,200 nonprofit soup kitchens and food pantries in New York City and the more than 1.4 million low-income New Yorkers who live in households that can’t afford enough food. The coalition works not only to meet these residents’ immediate food needs but also to enact innovative solutions to help society move “Beyond the soup kitchen” to ensure economic and food self-sufficiency for all americans.
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Table of contents
3 executive letter 4 advocating for anti-hunger policies 10 increasing access to food 14 assisting soup kitchens & food pantries 18 an eventful 2009 22 Financials 28 who we are
Executive letter
Dear Friend, 2009 was certainly a year of changes and challenges. Hunger, poverty, and homelessness in New York City and America soared. But 2009 was also a year of hope. President Barack Obama reiterated his pledge to end U.S. child hunger by 2015 as a first step toward ending all hunger in America. The federal recovery bill made historic investments in fighting hunger, thereby reducing the strain on the 1,200 food pantries and soup kitchens citywide that are represented by the New York City Coalition Against Hunger. We have played a significant leadership role in working closely with Federal, State, and City public policy makers to try to put the country on track toward achieving that inspiring 2015 goal. In the past year, as a result of generous support from thousands of individuals, as well as from foundations, public agencies, and corporations, the Coalition successfully: Worked with the Bloomberg administration to increase the participation of low-income children in the City’s School Breakfast Program, resulting in the Mayor pledging to expand in-classroom breakfast to over 250 schools. Engaged 14 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA participants to perform 29,120 hours of community service helping pantries and kitchens coordinate their services, recruit volunteers, build their capacity, and increase their food distribution. Successfully expanded our Farm Fresh Program, providing over 75,000 pounds of healthy, fresh, organic, New York Stategrown produce to three high poverty neighborhoods through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program that accepted food stamp benefits and offered scholarships to low-income families. Held an event with Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to highlight how the federal economic recovery bill brought an additional $500 million to NYC in anti-hunger funding. Expanded a pioneering project that enabled over 2,600 low-income New Yorkers to apply for food stamp benefits on-line at pilot food pantries and soup kitchens, helping them to receive millions of dollars in additional nutrition support. Served as national model for President Obama’s newly launched service initiative, United We Serve, mobilizing over 600 volunteers to serve at soup kitchens and food pantries and providing ongoing professional assistance in the areas of graphic design, accounting, and fundraising. This report details these accomplishments and many others, and demonstrates how cost-effective the Coalition has been in achieving those goals. With your continued support, we can ensure that all of our fellow Americans have enough food to prosper. In a nation as wealthy as America, we should settle for no less.
Joel S. Berg Executive Director
Daniel B. Ripps Board Chair
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Advocating for Anti-hunger policies New York City is one the richest cities in the richest nation in the world, yet over 1.4 million New Yorkers do not have consistent access to food. NYCCAH doesn’t just highlight the problem – it is one of the nation’s leaders in tracking hunger trends and proposing innovative yet practical solutions to end it.
research & Policy development Provided the hard facts to policy makers, the media, and the public in order to make the case for real, sustainable change in New York City.
Interfaith Voices Against Hunger (IVAH) Brought together a diverse group of religious and civic leaders to fight for improved policies by reinforcing our common humanity and the belief that hunger is a fundamental moral issue for people of all faiths.
Food Action Board (FAB) Project Developed leadership and advocacy skills of low-income community members interested in food, hunger, and anti-poverty initiatives. The FAB project makes change through legislative advocacy.
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R CE D T O FO
ration f
55.3%
An average line at a South Bronx food pantry distribution.
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In 2009, 55.3% of food pantries and soup kitchens surveyed did not have enough food or resources to meet the current demand.
This stastitic is from NYCCAH’s most recent annual hunger survey, which still stands as the “gold standard” for hunger research in the City. The 2009 report, “NYC Hunger Catastrophe Avoided (For Now): Soaring Demand at Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens Counter-Balanced by Food Stamps Surge and Extra Recovery Bill Funding”, explains that a surge in federal funding, due to the federal economic recovery bill, gave food pantries and soup kitchens around New York City a greater ability to meet increased demand in the face of the economic downturn. The report is an effective tool in the Coalition’s ongoing advocacy and policy work and provides the necessary data to support the need for increased funding and resources for emergency feeding programs in New York City. NYCCAH’s annual hunger survey is the most cited hunger research report each year by New York City’s media and elected officials, as well as national outlets such as The New York Times and The Economist. The updated data from the annual survey are a key component in framing the debate on hunger-related issues.
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Advocating for Effective & Sustainable Food Policy A second grader from a PS210 in Far Rockaway participates in an anti-hunger activity with NYCCAH staffers aimed at engaging New York City children in the campaign to expand school meals.
Because of decades of failed polices, hunger in New York City is skyrocketing. In 2009, NYCCAH continued its efforts to make hunger unacceptable in New York City. By advocating for specific policies and informing the public debate that surrounds them, NYCCAH worked to protect and advance the interests of emergency food agencies and the low-income New Yorkers who struggle to make ends meet. NYCCAH also strove to make New Yorkers’ voices heard by the decision makers who have an immense impact on their lives. NYCCAH’s efforts in advocacy have included city-specific projects and programs as well as working with New York’s U.S. Senators and Members of Congress with the same goal in mind: ending hunger in New York City. Though NYCCAH’s efforts are primarily focused on New York City, many federal laws, funding streams, and national regulations deeply impact hunger in New York City.
Providing Testimony As a leader on issues related to hunger in New York City, NYCCAH testified before New York City governmental bodies on the following topics: “Access to Fresh Food in NYC Neighborhoods and Associated Health, Economic, and Community Impacts,” on increasing access to healthy food throughout New York; “Regarding the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (“FRESH”) Program,” on financial and zoning incentives to supermarkets opening in ‘food deserts’ throughout New York, and separately on the importance of supporting supermarket expansion throughout New York; and On policy changes needed to end hunger in NYC, including increased access to SNAP/food stamps, increased breakfastin-the-classroom pilot program within NYC public schools, expanded outreach for WIC and Summer Meals programs, and increased support for emergency food providers.
Child Nutrition reAuthorization As a leader of the NYC Alliance for Child Nutrition Reauthorization, NYCCAH coordinated and made three Congressional visits to representatives of New York City to discuss funding for school meals and after-school snacks, enhancing program participation, pushing for a higher per-meal reimbursement rate, and enhancing nutrition education within the next Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR). The NYC Alliance for Child Nutrition Reauthorization is a group of over 70 organizations united around the importance of child nutrition. In addition to Congressional visits, NYCCAH helped to draft letters to Congress in support of CNR and assisted in a massive letter-signing campaign that collected over 500 letters to Congress.
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Button worn by a NYCCAH FAB member.
Good Food, Good Jobs As part of the Good Food, Good Jobs Coalition, NYCCAH continued working to support the implementation of the City’s Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) Initiative, which provides financial and zoning incentives to supermarkets that locate in low-income communities. The Coalition also worked to develop standards within the incentive programs to ensure that newly-opened supermarkets pay living wage salaries and accept food stamp/SNAP and WIC benefits.
Executive Director Joel Berg advocating alongside Speaker Christine Quinn for expanding the number of Farmers Markets accepting food stamp/SNAP benefits.
Elected Officials, policymakers, & faith leaders NYCCAH worked with in 2009 (in no order): Congressman Ed Towns Senator Charles Schumer Congressman Anthony Weiner City Council Speaker Christine Quinn State Assemblyman Michael Benjamin
Food and Climate Summit NYCCAH participated on the Food Charter Subcommittee of the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, which created a Food Pledge and Charter for NYC, as well as assisted in planning the 2009 Food and Climate Summit hosted by the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and Just Food. NYCCAH presented on the panel “Tackle Hunger, Health and Environment in Your Community,” and communicated ways to utilize advocacy efforts to tackle food insecurity and environmental injustice in NYC and also touched on how organizing for greater access to fresh, healthy food for all can fight hunger, health problems and climate change.
USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Edward Avalos USDA Director of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Max Finberg Monsignor Sullivan of the Archdiocese of NYC City Council Speaker Christine Quinn Council Member Gale Brewer Council Member David Weprin Rev. Ray Bagnuolo of Jan Hus Presbyterian Church Annie Rawlings of the Presbytery of New York City Rev. Bishop Mitchell Taylor of Center of Hope International
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In 2009, NYCCAH enabled its largest delegation of food action board members to share their experiences as clients of food pantries and soup kitchens at a national hunger conference in Washington, DC.
Food Action Board member Martha Rosado in Washington, DC.
food action boards (FABs) “We’ve been to Washington where we speak to the Senators ... where we’re representatives in the community, and we also have workshops where they train us on how to speak, how to be more vocal, because a lot of times we shy back and don’t dare say what we really feel. So NYCCAH has really helped us so that we can help our communities.” — Martha, Food Action Board Member
In an effort to encourage diverse community members to have a voice in creating effective food policy, NYCCAH staff has organized community members throughout NYC into Food Action Boards (FABs) in five low-income neighborhoods, one for each borough. These FABs have engaged in leadership development trainings to become advocates and organizers for food justice in their neighborhoods. In 2009, members: shared their experiences and engaged in dialogue with key non-profit leaders and advocates at the Food Research and Action Council’s National Annual Hunger Conference; met with the top USDA anti-hunger official Kevin Concannon to discuss their experiences in obtaining SNAP benefits in New York; participated in a press event at City Hall to kick-off the SNAP/food stamps access survey; and collected over 200 letters to send to elected officials about the importance of Child Nutrition Reauthorization.
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Hunger Doesn’t Discriminate on the Basis of Faith. Neither Does the Fight Against It. Faith Leaders for Food Justice NYCCAH and New York Faith and Justice (NYFJ) coordinated the Faith Leaders for Food Justice group, bringing together over 50 congregations under the following mission statement: “The Faith Leaders for Food Justice is a collaborative of faith leaders who, through advocacy, organizing, and awareness-building, are committed to just and sustainable food. This group promotes access to quality food, food security, ensuring living wages and fair treatment for food workers, and the health and well being of all New Yorkers.” In addition to meeting on a monthly-basis, the FLFJ group: Presented a skills-building workshop entitled “Faith-Rooted Climate and Food Justice Organizing: Explore how faith leaders can work together with advocates and government to make an impact on climate and food justice,” in December 2009 hosted by The Manhattan Borough President’s Office and Just Food. Presented “The Politics of Food” at the Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice Breakfast. This included presentations from relevant city officials. Held a press event at City Hall featuring NYCCAH, NYFJ and UFCW Local 1500, to call for a just and sustainable food system and to kick off a day of justice. The day ended in a vigil with participants writing letters to Mayor Bloomberg asking that food be adopted as part of his PlaNYC. Participants also called on Congressional leaders to support a strong Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, under consideration in 2010.
NYCCAH advocacy team and FAB members at a hunger conference in Washington, DC.
Hunger, Housing and Poverty Panel for City Electoral Candidates Interfaith Voices Against Hunger led a group of organizations to sponsor and organize an informational forum on Hunger, Homelessness, and Poverty policy that was attended by both major candidates for Public Advocate, both major candidates for City Comptroller, and one of the two major candidates for Mayor. The event was sponsored by a wide and diverse coalition of concerned stakeholders, including unions, faith groups, citizen groups, and nongovernmental organizations, and was moderated by Mimi Abramovitz, Professor of Social Policy at Hunter School of Social Work and The CUNY Graduate Center, and Bill Ayres, Founder and Executive Director of WHY Hunger. Candidates answered questions about living wages, food access, the application process for SNAP/food stamps, and the plans they had to end hunger, homelessness, and poverty in NYC. Ninety people attended the forum held at the Trinity Church. This was the only event during the entire campaign that focused on these issues in a sustained manner.
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increasing access to food NYCCAH’s efforts to help New Yorkers move beyond the soup kitchen are aimed at both supporting the efforts of soup kitchens and food pantries, while also working to connect individuals and families directly to nutritious food through our FARM FRESH INitiative and benefits access programs.
FARM FRESH INITIATIVE The centerpiece of the citywide Farm Fresh initiative is a unique mixed-income Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model that makes healthy, organic, fresh vegetables accessible to community members of all income levels by offering a variety of personalized payment options, including the ability to purchase vegetable shares using SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits. The CSA increases the access to fresh food and connects small local farmers to underserved communities.
BENEFITS ACCESS NYCCAH is currently a citywide partner in two food stamps access projects - detailed in the following pages - that have helped tens of thousands of people successfully enroll in the Food Stamps Program.
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Over 22 weeks in 2009, 3 farmers provided 75,000 lbs of nutritious, regionally grown vegetables to farm fresh members. 90% of members at one site reported eating more vegetables as a result.
A young West Harlem CSA member showcases part of her share of kale.
In 2009, NYCCAH worked with Just Food, the United Way of New York City, and Hunger Action Network of New York State to expand the Farm Fresh initiative, coordinating three Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. In a CSA, members purchase “shares” of a farmer’s crop for the entire growing season, approximately 22 weeks. The farmer gets a guaranteed market and insurance against bad weather and price fluctuations, while the members receive fresh, local produce at prices that are typically much lower than those available in supermarkets. The Farm Fresh program provides institutional shares for pantries and kitchens as well as access to family shares. The CSAs in West Harlem, Long Island City and Flatbush have a mixed-income model that sets payment according to income, and allows payment with food stamps, scholarships, and other flexible payment options. With a makeup of 40% high income, 20% medium income and 40% low income, healthy, fresh, produce is made accessible to low-income neighborhoods on a weekly basis. In addition, leftover produce from the family shares are donated to local emergency food providers, further enhancing food security in the neighborhood.
Low-income New Yorkers typically face higher market prices for fresh produce, contributing to higher obesity rates and harmful health consequences.
SNAP Outreach at Farmers Markets
In the belief that fresh, nutritious food should not be a luxury reserved for the better off, the Farm Fresh initiative is an attempt to demonstrate how this can be changed.
A second part of the program is extensive outreach in neighborhoods surrounding nine Farmers Markets to encourage neighborhood residents to use food stamps/SNAP benefits at the markets. NYCCAH’s work contributed to sales using food stamp/ SNAP benefits at the City’s farmers’ markets more than doubling from $100,772 in 2008 to $226,469 in 2009.
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Roughly 700,000 eligible New Yorkers do not receive food stamps. In 2009, NYCCAH facilitated 1,468 successful applications enabling families to obtain more than $4 million in additional benefits to help them put food on the table. We’re making headway. 14
NYCCAH’s Jen Kirby screens a food stamp/SNAP applicant at a Paperless Office System(POS) Site.
2009 was the first year in which NYCCAH was able to give guidance and assistance throughout the entire process of applying for and receiving food stamp benefits, a process that includes an initial pre-screening of eligibility, actual application submission, and support for clients after their benefits are approved. And to finish off this process, planning began in late 2009 for a project to help clients with the recertification process.
Pre-screening In 2009, NYCCAH pre-screened over 700 people to identify those who likely qualify for food stamp benefits, 431 of whom were found likely to be eligible. In addition, NYCCAH continued to work closely with communitybased organizations, on-site management, and site development efforts for the United Way of New York City’s Food Card Access Project (FCAP). Our role in this ongoing project is to identify appropriate sites where community-based groups can perform pre-screenings, inform individuals of their potential eligibility for food stamps, and provide them with options for submitting an application. In 2009, NYCCAH focused on re-establishing ties to older sites that had previously reached pre-screening saturation and were ready to resume outreach activities. An additional 55 sites were assessed, 10 of which hosted FCAP staff to pre-screen clients for benefits.
Online Applications at Pantries and Kitchens The Paperless Office System (POS) is a partnership between NYCCAH, the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and six emergency food programs. It allows low-income New Yorkers to submit applications quickly and easily in a welcoming environment, eliminating the need for a lengthy visit to a crowded City food stamps office. Most applicants now qualify
“Coming to your office to make my initial Food Stamp application was a surprisingly pleasant experience and not a drawn out process and I was approved. Through your organization and your help I am able to put meals on my table. I cannot thank you enough. I will tell people about you and your organization and the help that you offer.” — Debra, NYCCAH Client
for a waiver which allows them to forego a follow-up, in-person interview at the food stamps office, a significant barrier for low-income working people unable to take time off to complete the application process. Once applications had been submitted, clients were also able to contact NYCCAH for assistance with any problems receiving their food stamps benefits in an accurate and timely manner. In 2009, NYCCAH advocated for 182 clients that experienced some kind of difficulty in the application process.
Recertification While the application for SNAP benefits is by no means simple, the process does not end with benefits being granted; beneficiaries still need to be recertified annualy to continue receiving benefits. Along with the City’s Human Resources Administration and the Food Bank for New York City, NYCCAH was awarded a three-year USDA SNAP Participation grant to help develop and implement electronic food stamps recertifications at community-based food pantries and soup kitchens. The grant period began in September of 2009 with the development phase, and rollout is expected in June 2010.
There are over 1,200 soup kitchens and pantries in New York City. Not surprisingly, not everybody knows where all of them are. Part of NYCCAH’s work involves extensive outreach by creating and distributing neighborhood-specific, comprehensive guides to local food resources. These “Street Sheets” contain detailed lists of local Emergency Feeding Providers and farmers markets as well as Food Stamps and WIC offices. Information on obtaining public benefits including food stamps, WIC, and school/ senior meals can also be found in the guides. In 2009, NYCCAH distributed over 85,000 of these Street Sheets in 13 distinct New York communities, including versions translated into Spanish and Chinese where appropriate.
Health Bucks NYCCAH worked with the NYC Department of Health on its “Health Bucks” promotion, which offered financial incentives and discounts for SNAP recipients who spent their benefits at local farmers markets. NYCCAH, over the course of the growing season, supplied nearly 500 Health Bucks coupons to pre-screening clients. Furthermore, NYCCAH worked with smaller social service agencies to establish a referral system to FCAP partners, knowing that their clients would receive quality benefits enrollment assistance from a trusted source. A sample of our neighborhood-specific pocket Food Guides to free food and assistance.
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assisting Soup Kitchens & Food Pantries Since 1983, the core of NYCCAH’s mission has been assisting New York City’s soup kitchens and food pantries in their efforts to reduce hunger in our community.
Volunteer placement Our efforts to match volunteers – and especially skill-based volunteers – to organizations in need of a little help also aided in building a greater sense of community in New York City. Volunteers are an integral part of the success of many pantries and kitchens, and our volunteer matching system helps New Yorkers effectively connect with emergency food organizations.
the americorps Program Through our AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps State programs, NYCCAH provided both direct support to agencies’ anti-hunger activities and helped to build the capacity of these organizations.
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Volunteers from Macy’s lend their help during the lunch service at Broadway Community Soup Kitchen in West Harlem.
In 2009, NYCCAH connected 3,250 New Yorkers with volunteer opportunities in 190 soup kitchens and food pantries.
“Once again, we had a great time working at the Broadway Community Soup Kitchen. I look forward to working with NYCCAH again to help. Thank you for arranging and allowing us to be part of such a wonderful cause.” — Rochell, Volunteer with Nielsen Media Group Volunteers are an essential part of the fight against hunger in New York City. They help build agencies’ capacity, create new programs, strengthen existing programs, and introduce new and innovative methods to help agencies’ clients move toward self-sufficiency. Volunteers experience hunger in a new way by personally seeing the individuals in need of food and the needs of agencies seeking to provide healthy, nutritious food in our communities. In 2009, NYCCAH was a proud participant in President Obama’s United We Serve Initiative to extend volunteerism in America. Through this initiative, NYCCAH launched a new focus on placing skill-based volunteers at food pantries and soup kitchens where the volunteers provided skills such as accounting, legal assistance, graphic design, and fundraising. Further information about this initiative is available at nyccah.org/unitedweserve/index.html NYCCAH’s fully automated volunteer matching site (nyccah.org/ volunteermatching) is mobilizing community action by allowing volunteers to search for opportunities by zip code, subway line, area of specialization, and date and time availability.
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Americorps: a federal program created under president clinton in 1993 to engage americans in long-term service that creates and expands anti-poverty programs.
Matt, a Brooklyn VISTA member, coordinates volunteers at a food pantry.
“NYCCAH VISTAs are unique in that we are right at the thresholds of poverty, facing daily challenges and real experiences of what it means to fight hunger dead on. Now that I work as a staff member at a nonprofit, I can put my experiences to work. I can offer that first-hand perspective that many of my co-workers haven’t had.” — Krystle, 2009-2010 VISTA Alum In 2009, NYCCAH placed 20 AmeriCorps State participants in full- or part-time service at food pantries, soup kitchens, and anti-poverty organizations throughout New York City. The AmeriCorps team complements the capacity-building work of the VISTA members by providing services essential to keeping these hard-pressed agencies operating on a day-to-day basis. In addition to helping the grassroots agencies, the program develops young leaders to be more aware of, sensitive to, and involved in anti-hunger work. In 2009, the members recruited, trained, and/or supervised 978 volunteers, including 15 highly needed skills-based volunteers. (See our Volunteers section for information on skills-based volunteerism.) In addition, AmeriCorps members performed 143 SNAP (food stamps) pre-screenings and processed 71 Paperless Office System (POS) applications. (See our Benefits Access section for a fuller description of these essential functions.)
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AmeriCorps members enjoy the sun while gathering pumpkins at a local farm that provides produce to a NYCCAH CSA.
In 2009, NYCCAH AmeriCorps VISTA members raised $81,695 for pantries and kitchens, while AmeriCorps State members recruited and managed 978 Volunteers in NYc.
Maddy paints the fence of a food pantry during AmeriCorps week.
There are many challenges to running a soup kitchen or food pantry. With so much needing to be done at the moment, it’s often difficult to plan for, and put into effect, improvements that help build the agency’s capacity to serve its clients better in the future. VISTA is a federally funded program that places full-time developing leaders for a one-year term of service. In 2009, NYCCAH placed 14 AmeriCorps VISTA members in soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the five boroughs to provide full-time, capacity-building assistance to improve the daily operations of these agencies. These members recruited 877 new volunteers, coordinated 13,480 hours of community service, and helped secure $53,800 in grant funding and over $27,895 of in-kind donations. Each VISTA member works closely with their host agency to develop administrative and programmatic infrastructure and to build their capacity to meet both the short- and long-term needs of low-income New Yorkers. This includes everything from recruiting, tracking and managing volunteers to researching and applying for funding to keep the organizations going. In addition, VISTA members coordinated and facilitated Neighborhood Networks throughout New York City. These networks allow feeding agencies to come together to share ideas, collaborate on joint projects, and strategize on new initiatives to fight hunger. The Neighborhood Networks are designed to be self sustaining after the VISTA’s term of service finishes. Beyond that, the program develops long-term anti-hunger and non-profit sector leaders. NYCCAH VISTA alumni are already in leadership roles at NYCCAH and other nonprofit groups. Given that many current leaders are at or near retirement age, training a new generation of leaders is a vital, yet difficult to quantify, function of NYCCAH.
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an eventful 2009
More than 450 Americans honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by turning the day dedicated to his memory into a day of service At nyccah’s 7th Annual MLK Anti-Hunger Serve-A-Thon, over 450 volunteers served over 1,500 hours at over 30 soup kitchens and food pantries across New York City. Over three days, NYCCAH sponsored volunteer events attended by Congressman Anthony Weiner, State Senator Liz Krueger, City Council Members Gail Brewer and Inez Dickens, the Corporation for National Community Service’s Donna Smith, and actress Tracee Ellis Ross. There was also significant success in recruiting individuals for much-needed skills-based volunteer work at pantries and kitchens.
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“I had a great time this weekend. The volunteers [at our kitchen] were energetic and helpful and I loved that they were from a high school nearby. It was a great match. Our new shelves are beautiful and more efficient and best of all they are up to health code. Thanks for this opportunity!” — Elizabeth, First Presbyterian Soup Kitchen, Queens “Our group [of volunteers] was beyond belief. Many of them were very interested in volunteering long term, and several spoke to us about coordinating fundraisers for MCC Charities programs.... We made great connections and had a fabulous time doing it.” — Frances, MCCNY’s Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry, Manhattan
A Plate Full of Fashion: Fighting hunger with style On June 12th, over 250 Coalition Against Hunger supporters, volunteers, and fashionistas from around the City came together for a fashion show to benefit the work of the Coalition Against Hunger. The evening “A Full Plate of Fashion: Fighting Hunger with Style” raised over $11,000 for the Coalition and began with Gilles Montezin, acclaimed designer of pieces for Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna as well as for “Sex and the City” and “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” featuring pieces from his recent collection followed by New York designer William Buster’s showcasing his meticulously produced and coordinated vintage, American fashion show. “Operation Paper Plate,” a moving community art exhibit of 1,300 paper plates depicting images of hunger by New York City school children personalized the hunger message throughout the evening. Each plate represented 1,000 New Yorkers who cannot afford enough food for their families.
Designer Gilles Montezin poses with guest and fellow anti-hunger advocate, Angela Wambui Muirur, Miss Africa USA.
A special thanks to the event committee, volunteers, and sponsors who made the event possible including: Brick Presbyterian Church; Bumble&Bumble; William Buster; Councilmen Avella and Jackson; Crate&Barrel; Crosby, Stills and Nash; Dean and Deluca; Del Frisco’s Steakhouse; Fran Drescher; Estee Lauder; Fine Arts Children Photography; Glaceau Water; Marissa Lonsdale paintings; iHeart; I*M* Handmade; INNA Jewelry; Kenneth Cole; Kinespirit; Longchamp; Rachel Maddow; Gilles Montezin; Prêt a Manger; Real Simple; Tommy Hilfiger; and Vanessa’s Vintage.
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Anti-Hunger advocates mark 9/11 with a call for strategic service “Today is a day to remember the heroes of 9/11 and honor them through continued skills-based volunteering. At the federal level, we are continuing to build strong federal nutrition assistance programs that provide people with SNAP/food stamp benefits to help alleviate dependency on emergency food programs.” — Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary, Food, Consumer, & Nutrition Services
Kevin Concannon, USDA Under Secretary for Food, Consumer, & Nutrition Services, the chief Obama Administration official in charge of domestic anti-hunger programs.
Local elected officials and advocates gather to honor the heroes of 9/11 with a call to skills-based, community service.
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As a part of the first official 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, officials met at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, a faith- and communitybased social service organization and soup kitchen, to call attention to the growing issue of hunger in New York City and urge more effective volunteer actions to combat it. Senator Charles Schumer, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon for Food, Consumer, & Nutrition Services, CNCS’s Donna Smith, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Councilman Bill de Blasio and Councilman Eric Gioia attended the event. Officials urged New Yorkers to engage in ongoing, skills-based service in order to create more sustainable change in their communities. To further push this initiative, NYCCAH also partnered with New York Cares and Starting Bloc to hold a Skills-based Volunteer Orientation Session in support of President Obama’s United We Serve Initiative, a nationwide program working to create a sustained, collaborative, and focused effort to meet community needs and make service a way of life for all Americans. This event brought together over 75 professionals looking to apply their skills in the service of their communities, at which they learned the basics of skills-based volunteering, met representatives from numerous nonprofits and were able to register for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Craig Murphey Remembered of nutrition extended to advocating for healthier food retail options through the NYC Food & Fitness partnership, helping organize neighborhood parents and school administrations to provide healthier meals for children as well as helping to set up the Harlem Natural Food Co-op (a democratically run, healthy food retailer in Central Harlem). He also helped low-income working residents by providing screenings for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and advocating to make SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits more accessible for New Yorkers in need.
Through the Craig Murphey Fellowship Fund NYCCAH commemorates the legacy of Craig Murphey – a strongly committed antihunger advocate who tragically passed away in a bicycle accident in Brooklyn in October 2007. Continuing Craig’s commitment to the anti-hunger and community organizing movements, the Craig Murphey Fellowship Fund supports a one year fellowship program focused on anti-hunger, community- based work. In 2009, Michael Paone, the first Fellow, focused on working with faith leaders, community organizations and elected officials in Harlem. His efforts helped provide Harlem residents with nutritious, affordable, and local produce through Community Supported Agriculture programs and the Local Produce Link, as well as through distributing information to the community on how to use EBT Food Stamps at local farmers markets. The efforts to improve the quality
The second Fellow, Andrew Barrett, started work in Brooklyn to increase the impact of soup kitchens and food pantries in the Brooklyn Alliance of Community Services (BACS) by helping them organize around food and hunger issues as well as improving their recordkeeping, database and client management. His other projects included evaluating the feasibility of rooftop gardens, organizing the delivery of 266 Thanksgiving turkeys, and coordinating with “Dine In Brooklyn” to raise funds for Brooklyn anti-hunger work. In October 2009, NYCCAH honored Craig Murphey and his family at the Living Tribute to Craig Murphey Anti-Hunger event, which took place at Hope Lounge in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The event drew hundreds of Craig supporters and raised thousands of dollars for the continuation of the Craig Murphey Fellowship. Support this fellowship today by designating your tax-deductible donation to the Craig Murphey Fellowship Fund at www.nyccah.org or via check made out to NYCCAH with a memo indicating that the donation should go to the Craig Murphey Fellowship.
Yelp’s a beach, hunger’s a beast Yelp!, the famous online review site, hosted “Yelp’s a Beach!” on August 15, 2009 at Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City. Hundreds gathered for a summer afternoon of BBQ, cocktails, and music. Thanks to generous donations from Yelpers, the event raised nearly $2,500 for the Coalition’s programs. Yelp’s a Beach Event, August 2009
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Financials current Liabilities Accounts payable & accrued expenses
assets Cash & cash Equivalents
$274,621 contracts receivable
$85,383 grants & Contributions receivable
$148,395 prepaid expenses
$16,607
security deposit
$6,498
Property & Equipment, net
$10,179 total assets
$541,683 24
$13,924 total liabilities
$13,924 net assets: unrestricted
$218,107 temporarily restricted
$309,652
total net assets
$527,759 total Liabilities & net assets
$541,683 note: all numbers are reflective of the 2009 fiscal year [jan. 1 - dec. 31, 2009]. a full version of our financials can be found online at www.nyccah.org/financials
revenues & support: government Funding:
$477,003
v go
Private Foundations:
er
$509,324
nm ent
corporations:
39
$45,718
%
Private
2%
rel
ou igi
s
.
r p or 4% co
ind
ations
.
$184,681
sc
Individual Donations & Misc. Income:
&M i
$19,445
15 %
religious organizations:
40%
Revenue
total revenue:
$1,236,171 use of funds: program expenses
$950,074
Management & General:
$129,554
fundraising:
$83,142
programs 82%
n dr a 7% f u 11% Mana
ge m e
nt &
i s in g
Ge ne
ral
Total operating Expenses:
$1,162,770
use of funds
25
funders Corporations All Island Signs and Lighting Altria Group Apollo Real Estate Management Bridge Between, Inc. Choice Productions Delta Resources, Inc. Designs by ... Masque E S Foods, Inc. GMAC Financial Services
Foundations & Other private funders Agnes Gund Foundation Altman Foundation The Auerbach Living Trust Botwinick-Wolfensohn Foundation Brooklyn Community Foundation Cathedral of St. John the Divine Catholic Charities
Gramercy Park Memorial Chapel
Central Synagogue - Rabbi Maurice Salth Discretionary Fund
MacAndrews and Forbes Holdings , Inc.
Church of Pentecost USA, Inc.
Manhattan Plant Design
Common Cents New York, Inc.
Moody’s Investors Service
Congregation Shaare Zedek
Murphey & Associates Sales, Inc
The Dalton School
Palmer Asphalt Company
FGE Food & Dietician/Nutrition Team PLLC
Pocantico Resources Inc.
Green Guerillas
Quartet Financial Systems, Inc.
Hunger Action Network New York State
Sunshine Club, NYS Dept of Health
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Troutman Sanders LLP
Jewish Communal Fund
Yelp.com
Kirkland & Ellis Foundation Liz Claiborne Foundation MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger New York City Association of Hotel Concierges New York Community Trust Perelman Family Foundation Public Health Solutions Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The Scherman Foundation, Inc Share Our Strength Shore Family Foundation Inc. Trinity Church Wall Street United Way of New York City Varnum DeRose Charitable Trust Wolfensohn Family Foundation
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government Funders Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal Assemblymember Richard N. Gottfried City Councilmember Annabel Palma City Councilmember Helen D. Foster Council on the Environment of New York City Federal Corporation for National and Community Services - AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer New York City Council New York City Human Resources Administration/ Dept. of Social Services-Paperless Office System State Senator Efrain Gonzalez Jr. State Senator Liz Krueger
donors $1,000 +
Maureen Sheehan
W. Michael and Ellen E. Funck
Lauren Novack
Jeff Sheu
Gemma George
Christina Pak
Dana Buchman and Thomas Farber
Shinichiro Takizawa
Leslie J. Gevirtz
Lewis Polishook
Alice M. and Thomas J. Tisch
Kerry Hay
Brooks B. Preston
Lisa Villareal
Julianne Rana
The Honorable Anthony Weiner
Debra Hecht and Sean O’Neal
Lon M. Wilhelms
Lesley and Michael Heller
Daniel Chung James A. Coyle Gary A. Davis Stuart J. and Randi Epstein Jesse Furman
Helen Hershkoff
Roy Goodman
$150 +
Oya Idera-Abdullah
Alex Iskold
Christian Agostino von Hassell
Joel E. Jacob and Lauren Jacob
Mamie Kanfer
Jami Attenberg
Shreyasi Jha
Bruce Kraus
Karen Bank
Jonathan Kahan
Erika Lapinskas
Karen Bowen
Kevin J. and Gail M. Kelly
Peter Meyer
James A. and Cathy Boyd
Sara Kennedy
Daniel B. Ripps
Bert Brandenburg
Douglas L. and Kirsten B. Krohn
Gail and Judah Schorr
Robert Krulak
Jerry and Cecile Shore
Laura Brown and Barbara Danish
Charline Spektor
Adam Bucheister
Fatemeh M. Tafreshi
Kathy Campion
Jim VanBlaricum and Friends and Family of Craig Murphey
Rose Chan
Joshua Weisberg
Jacqueline Cheney
Naomi R. Wolfensohn
Lee Clifford
$500 + Timothy and Mary Early Brosnan Deborah Colby Sam Dryden Nancy D. Fitzgerald
Debra Chen
Josh Cohen Donna Coker Barbara Deinhardt Janet Dorman David Doster Joseph H. and Marilyn Dukoff
Kerri Jackson
Jonathan Eig and Jennifer Tescher
Robert and Debra Kauffman
David J. and Janice Epstein
Adina and Ari Konikoff
Kerry Eschwie
Alix McAlpine
Sal Falcone
Stephen Moss
Robert Feldmeier
Janice L. Murphey
Patricia Feuerstein
Shannon Norton
Beatrice S. and Lloyd Frank
Jean-Louis Sarbib
Bret Isaacs
Elizabeth S. Lara Wallace and M. Margaret Larson Wallace Larson, Jr. Marcia Larson Craig and Roslyn Lauterbach Kenneth Leung Stephanie Lin Susan Lyddon Alan Madoff
David L. and Jennie C. Rosenn Anya Rous Darone and Stephanie Ruskay Sarah Russe Daniel and Judith Russell Steven I. Schreiber Jennifer Schulman Josselyn Simpson Daniel Spira Natalia Sucre Sidney Sutter Gloria Teal A. E. Tritschler Sarah Truelsch Christian A. von Hassel Tyler Ward John and Helen Wengler Thomas A. Williams Suzanne Wunderman Jason Yung Tricia Zenobio
Edward Majonis Phyllus Marino Andrea Masley Marina McCoy Randall McKenzie David Michaeli Charles F. and Marie F. Miller David E. Mitchell Beverly Kagan Nadler Stewart Neill Arlene Nichols Jeffrey Norman Nichols, M.D.
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up to $150
Matt Carpenter
Debra Faye
Michael Howe
Judith A. Cashman
Zaineb Fernandez
Mel Huang
Diana Abbondola
Kemely Castro
Yvonne Ferris
Gail Hudson
Erica B. Ackerberg and Daniel M. Leaf
Jack Chaiklin
Annie Finch
Robert V.P. Hutter
Cindy Chang
Jack Flam
Suzanne C. Immerman
May Ying Chen
Sharon Geier Flanagan
Lynn Jacobson
Cynthia Chin
Stacey L. Flanagan
Jennifer Jaech
Roseann and John F. Christian
Robert T. and Evelyn C. Fortna
Helene Jaffe
Shielda R. Clemons
Jonathan Fox
Gordon Jenkins
Lori Cohan
Ethan Frieder
Charlotte Johnson
Irene Cohen
Crystal Frierson
Danielle Johnston
D.L. Crosby Collier
Ann Friesema
Charlotte Jones
Brooke Collins
Joan and David Frischman
Julian M. Jordan
Joan M. Consalvo
Adriane Frye
Bernice R. Kaminsky-Lashen
Barbara Cook
Mary Fugle
Steven and Lori Kantorowitz
Kezia D. Cooper
Gerald Galst
Jessy Kaw
Alan Ross Cordova
Jeffrey D. Gano
Lora Kaye
Sarah Crabtree
Johnyne E. Garcia
Joanne Keenan
Cindy Craig
David Gaynes
Laura Kennicutt
Megan Crofford
Seth and Alisa Gershman
Anupum Khaitan
Dana Crosby-Collier
Phyllis L. Glackman
Jon A. and Amy G. Cummins
Rachel Godfrey
Barbara S. Klap and Daniel J. Schnyder
Carolyn Curcio
Ronald H. and Mary L. Golub
Jeanette Daluisio
Kelly Gonda
Michele Davis
Jennifer Gordon
Bill Deckhaut
Thomas Grayman
Lauren DeMille
Judith Greenwald
Nancy Marx Better
Eric Michael and Florence Kamil Dessen
Anna Griffith
Ameya G. Bijoor
Marcia DiLiberto
Peter R. Bingenheimer
Heather Dillman
Ann Brownhill Gubernick and Peter Gubernick
Chandler Bishop
John Doherty
Cheryl A. Guimond
Mary Ann Lanzetta
Ellen Bloomer and Kate Thomas
Jennifer Donaldson
Lara Hall
Nathalie Larionov
Yvonne Borree
Amy Donner
Alison Halpern
Leslie Larson
Mary Ellen and Raymond Boudiette
Michele Donoho
Rebecca Hammerman
Leon A. Lauterbach
Jim Boyd
Cynthia Doty
Terence Hanley
Christine Lawrence
S. Bradie and T.R. Phillips
Arthur G. and Sandra S. Drucker
Sarri Harper
Mary Beth Lawton
Katie Breen
Nancy Duan
Norma Harris
Sarah F. Lazin
Elizabeth Britton
Marilyn Eaton
Marsha J. Haskell
Janice Lee
Pamela Brown
Howard and Trisha Edington
Jeni Haskell
Michelle Lee
Elise Brown
Kenedy Egan
Susan E. Hauser
Howard Leibowitz
Pamela D. Brown, Royal Dreams Clothing
Jennifer and Frederic Eisman
Brandice Heller
Wendy Leung
Carol Elfant
Jillian Hertzman
Jenny Elliott
William Federick Hewitt and Marian H. Hewitt
Bruce Levine and Ann B. Nordon
Jarrettia Adams Cassandra Agredo Arooba Alam Khorshed Alam Craig Alexander George Aliperti Nancy Allen Lana Alwari Michael Andres Penelope T. Andrew Emily R. M. Ansbacher Chika Anuforoh Jennifer Apple Caron Atlas Caroline Avery Claribel Baez Seann Bardell Vanessa Barg Tracy A. Baumgardner Petra Bebas Gail Benson Manijeh Berenji Amy L. and Jonathan L. Bergner
Paul Brown Michael Bruce Rosa L. Bruno Kathleen Bubinas Daniel L. Burbank Stu Bush
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Robin Elliott Megan Elsener Paul H. Epstein Fern Estrow Jennifer R. Ezzo
Stephen Grimaldi
Laura Koehler Jennifer R. Kraft Joyce L. Kramer Jerry and Barbara Krasner Harvey B. Krohn Celia Kujala Henry L. Kuperman, M.D. Kevin Kusterer Brad Lander
Mark Lewis
William Hiller
Peter Lewis
Alexander Holmes
Ellen Lippmann
Andrea Hopmann
Katinka LoCascio
Karen L. Horn
Lisa Loudon
Benjamin Lubick
Jane Sarah Posner
Deborah Shavlik
Jessica Welman
Xiao Ling Luo
Arthur and Fran Post
Margaret McKeever Sheerer
Sam Whitehill
Vincent Luongo
Lara Price
Edwin Sheffield
Chana Widawski
Sandra Macchia
Gregory Prickett
Malika Simmons
Robert and Virginia Wilhelms
Susan Magness
Calvin and Lorraine Probst
Melissa Sklarz
Heather Williams
Oliver Mahrdt
Bernard Prudhomme
Janine S. Slaker
Michael Wimmer
Rachel Margolis
Jonathan Psotka
Dennis Smith
Andrew D. Wolf
Sara Markt
Annmarie Puleo
Mark Smith
Gary Wolfe
Angela Masi
Ariana Rabinovicz
Suzanne Smith
Alexander Wolfson
Nina Mastrangelo
Joni Rabinowitz
Emily Snyder
Chou Xiong-Neri
Donald Mathis
Georgianna Randolph
Catalin E. Stan
May Ying Chen
Jessie Matras
Karen Rhines
Karen Steele
Dianne E. Young
Heather McCown
Paulette Richards
Frederick R. Stehle
Abby Youngblood
Robin McCoy
Angela R. Riddlespurger
Frederick R. Stehle
Dari Yudkoff
Daryl McCullough
Jane L. Rifkin
Beth Stellato
Brian Zblewski
Ruth McDonald
Julia G. Ripps
Rebecca Stern
Martha K. Zebrowski
Piper McEndarffer
Linda Ripps
Marian B. and Jeffrey W. Stier
Dianne Zola
Kara McLarney
Godfrey Roberts
Lance Stier
Lisa Meadowcroft
Athel Robinson
Carol Stoddart
Tonya Melendez
Roger Rodwin
Hope D. Stogel
Aaron Miller
Robert Roffler
Mark Stonehill
Erika L. Milton
Amy Rolf
Lewis B. Straus
Carin Mirowitz
Arrica Rose
Cynthia and Dave Strutin
Jeremy Moberg-Sarver
Joann and William Rosen
Lynn Stubing
Nicole Mohovich
Sandra and Leon Rosenblatt
David Sunshine
David Moore
Mila Rosenthal
Kellie Tabron
Evan J. Morgenstern
Jerry A. Rosiello
Jon Tenney and Bethene Trexel
Eugene H. and Elizabeth L. Moss
Rosemary Rotondi
Gail Thomas
Margaret M. Murphey
Gerald Allen and Elka Amy Rottman
Kate Thomas
Debleena Roy
Anna Timone
Andrew L. Rubinson
Patty Tobin
Sharon Ruger
Bethene Trexel
Sarah Rulfs
Lisa Troland
Lola Russell
David D. Tuccinardi
Yara Salome
Carolyn Tufano
Phillip A. Saperia
Paula Turanec
Vanessa Saulet
Nicholas Urban
Abigail E. Schade
Greg Villepique
Andrea L. Schatz
Bruce Waletzky
Alexandra Schieber
Mark F. Walsh
Benjamin Schneider
John Warren
Richard and Tami Joy Schneider
Barry H. Wasserman
Amy Schoeman
Laurie Wax
Dava Schub
Jeremy Weedon
Judith Semkow
George R. Weinhouse, M.D.
Joanna Serafin
Elaine Weiser
Linda A. Setlech
Charles S. Wekselbaum
Jennifer Shaffer
Sam Welch and Friends
Lori Murphy Heather Muskauski Gale Myers Sylvia J. Nachtigall Peter Napolitano Heidi Nasr Marianne Nebel Lee Norsworthy Valerie A. O’Halloran Olsen, Jennifer Eric J. Olson L. Kathleen O’Neal Nancy Pabon Sherri A. Partridge Robert L. and Kathleen Peiffer Jonathan R. Perce Carrette Perkins Jonathan R. Pesce Mel Phillips Clint Plummer
Irene S. and James G. Thommes
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who we are Staff
Board of Directors
Andrew Barrett
Daniel B. Ripps, Chair
Craig Murphey Fellow for Anti-Hunger Building
Development Resource Group Inc.
Joel Berg
Maureen Sheehan, Secretary
Executive Director
Part of the Solution (POTS)
Kerry Birnbach
Jeffrey Nichols, MD, Treasurer
Coordinator of the Interfaith Voices Against Hunger (IVAH)
Cabrini Elder Care Consortium
Britt Boyd Coordinator of Volunteer & Community Initiatives
Moody’s Investors Service Global Real Estate Group
Victoria Dumbuya
Bisi Iderabdullah
Coordinator of the AmeriCorps National Service Program
Imani House, Inc.
Esther Larson
Peter Ligh
Director of Development
Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP
Reggie Miller
Lewis Straus
Coordinator of the AmeriCorps VISTA Program
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (Retired)
Timothy Brosnan
Michael Paone Community Organizer
Carrette Perkins Director of Programs
George Spira Director of Finance & Administration
Jim Wengler Director of Benefits Access
Online Resources Homepage: www.nyccah.org Blog: nyccoalitionagainsthunger.wordpress.com Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/nyccahphotography Facebook: New York City Coalition Against Hunger Twitter: www.twitter.com/NYCCAH Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/NYCCAH Printed locally on recycled paper using non-toxic toner and renewable wind-powered energy
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