A MESSAGE FROM

Michael Hollis S:US Director of Urban Farms

On behalf of Services for the UnderServed, I want to thank you for joining our inaugural Summit to Serve New York. We are incredibly excited to bring together such an amazing array of thought leaders, front line community workers, and advocates that share our social justice mission.

From our beginnings 45 years ago, S:US has worked to end disparities in public health and socioeconomic conditions. Our work transforms the lives of more than 37,000 New Yorkers each year, whether it be women and children who have experienced domestic violence; people who have lost their homes; people living in poverty; veterans who are challenged by homelessness, depression, and unemployment; people with mental illness and addiction challenges; people with autism and other developmental disabilities; and people living with HIV/AIDS. By ensuring access to needed supports, services, treatment, and housing, S:US is proud to be a partner in their journey to experience life to its fullest potential.

We have long recognized food security as an important component of our work. We serve over 2 million meals each year, we provide comprehensive benefits support that includes SNAP/WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Women, Infants, and Children) counseling, we host one of the region’s largest urban agriculture initiatives with over 70 growing spaces throughout NYC, and we are advancing innovative approaches to public health, like building a mutual aid network through our growing community fridge program.

That said, we recognize that food insecurity remains an enduring crisis in our communities, particularly this year as food prices continue to rise and safety net resources that existed during the COVID public health emergency expire. For that reason, S:US has chosen Uniting on Food Justice as the focus for this inaugural summit, seeing this moment as critical for an integrated, communitybased front fighting to achieve a just and equitable food system.

We look forward to the summit as a beginning to new ideas and collaborations, and to combined efforts as we come together to share our work, our challenges, and the opportunities we have for building a better city together.

With gratitude,