2023 Planter Awards Journal

Celebrating 25 Years of Community Resiliency

PROUDLY PRESENTED BY:

LETTER FROM OUR CEO

I am pleased to welcome you to our 12th Planter Awards Gala. This year, The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) celebrates 25 years of service to vulnerable communities across New York City. As I reflect on this year’s theme, “Building Community Resiliency,” we have made significant strides in our mission to give our communities healthy food with dignity and the tools and resources they need to become resilient.

As I reflect on our humble beginnings, The Campaign Against Hunger was birthed through helping one family in need, which later blossomed into serving 50 families weekly from a church’s basement and now impacting over 1.5 million New Yorkers annually. This is no easy accomplishment. TCAH’s success is largely attributed to our communities which play a key role in shaping our response to the challenges they face. We acknowledge that food is a right and not a privilege. No New Yorker should struggle to put on their table. Yet still, so many of our neighbors get on the food lines daily to feed and support their kids and families.

TCAH continues to lead with compassion. We’re consistently innovating our programs and services to assure equity and dignity in access to not just food but critical social services, benefits such as SNAP, health insurance, free tax preparation, high-skilled workforce training and development programs for at-risk teens, nutrition and culinary classes, mobile farmers markets and urban farms, and so much more!

Our communities have the solutions, and through continued partnership and collaboration, we will ensure they are resourced in ways that increase their self-determination. I am excited about our work and plans to end hunger in New York City! Together, we can create a city where every New Yorker has enough to eat to live an active, healthy life. We are resilient. I am moved by the times and support of our elected leaders, donors, partners, friends, staff, volunteers, and everyone who makes our work possible.

Thank you for supporting our 12th Planter Awards to raise funds and acknowledge some great individuals who continue to work relentlessly to address gaps in food and economic access.

In Solidarity,

Dr. Melony Samuels CEO and Founder The Campaign Against Hunger

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael Woolley, Board Chair

Tony Argento

Jennifer Compton

Timothy Fraser

Joshua Lukeman

David Mair

James Merkin

Annie Mohan

Richard Roberts

Tina Tse

LETTER FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR

Dear TCAH Supporters,

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for joining us at the 12th Planters Awards! Tonight we celebrate all those contributing to TCAH's success, including the amazing staff, the committed volunteers, and of course, the elected officials, organizations, and individuals that provide TCAH with the support necessary to carry out its mission.

Now in its 25th year of operations, TCAH is a ground-breaking organization, literally and figuratively. TCAH was one of the first pantries to offer clients their choice of nutritious food, and TCAH introduced the innovative Fresh Vibes Mobile Farmers Markets to bring fresh, affordable produce directly to communities. TCAH also continues to open and operate urban farms across the city to provide locally-grown produce to its pantry clients, farmer's markets, and TCAH's own Beach Dunes Eats and Arts Café in Far Rockaway.

TCAH has grown to meet the growing need for nutritious food, social services, youth education, and employment opportunities. TCAH plans to expand its ability to assist those in need by establishing a first-of-its-kind permanent Community Food Hub that will allow TCAH and its partner organizations to break the systemic and interconnected cycle of hunger and poverty in New York City. None of this is possible without your continued support!

We are excited to celebrate with you tonight and even more excited to continue TCAH's partnerships with each of you!

Thankfully,

Michael Woolley Board Chair The Campaign Against Hunger

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Honorees:

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jefferies

U.S House of Representatives

Senator Zellnor MyrieNew York State Senate

Karen Washington

Rise & Root Farm

Black Urban Growers

Kate MacKenzie

Mayor’s Office of Food Policy

Noreen Springstead

Partnership for a Healthier America

Welcome & Opening Remarks

TCAH's CEO & Founder

Dr. Melony Samuels

Host DeDe Brown

Silent Auction:

Musical Guest: The Trio

Annika Dawson

Music and dancing to conclude

HONOREE: DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries has proudly represented New York’s Eighth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives since taking office on January 3, 2013. The incredibly vibrant and diverse Eighth Congressional District encompasses neighborhoods like East New York, Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Canarsie, Coney Island and Brighton Beach.

Congressman Jeffries was unanimously elected House Democratic Leader by his colleagues in January of 2023. In that capacity, he is the highest ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives and the first person of color to lead a major party in the United States Congress. He is also the former Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus and Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, where he helped develop the winning For The People agenda for the successful 2018 midterm elections when Democrats reclaimed the House. Congressman Jeffries served as an Impeachment Manager in the historic first impeachment of President Donald J. Trump, becoming the first African American man to hold that position. Paying homage to Brooklyn, Congressman Jeffries quoted The Notorious B.I.G. as he laid out the case against Trump.

In Congress, Congressman Jeffries has emerged as a tireless advocate for safer communities, affordable housing and lower costs. Recently, he helped guide communities in Central and South Brooklyn through the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic crisis. He played a leading role in the passage of measures that will create jobs and make life better for everyday families, like the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Before his election to the House, Congressman Jeffries served for six years in the New York State Assembly. Prior to his career in public service, he practiced law at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and served as litigation counsel for Viacom Inc. and CBS.

Congressman Jeffries received his bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York at Binghamton, earned a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University and graduated magna cum laude at New York University School of Law. Congressman Jeffries was born in Brooklyn, is a product of New York City’s public school system and lives in Brooklyn with his family.

HONOREE: NEW YORK STATE SENATOR ZELLNOR MYRIE

Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie is a Brooklyn native and affordable housing advocate serving the 20th Senate District.

Since joining the Senate in 2019, Senator Myrie has served in leadership roles and won several major legislative victories, including New York’s strongest affordable housing and tenant protection laws in generations along with sweeping reforms to New York’s criminal legal system.

In 2021, as a rise in gun violence swept through communities of color across the state and the country, Senator Myrie wrote the nation’s first state gun industry liability law, taking aim at irresponsible dealers and manufacturers whose dangerous weapons end up on our streets. For this accomplishment and others, Senator Myrie was given the Founders’ Award from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and named Gun Sense Lawmaker of the Year by Everytown for Gun Safety. In 2022, he was honored with the “20 Under 40 Leadership Award” by the Council of State Governments.

As Chair of the Elections Committee, Senator Myrie presided over historic election reforms including early voting, closing the LLC loophole, and simplifying the absentee ballot process. In 2021, he held voter-focused hearings across the state on improving election administration and protecting voting rights, and issued a landmark report containing over 50 recommendations to reform New York’s elections. He is the author of the John R. Lewis New York Voting Rights Act, which has been hailed as the strongest voting rights law in any state in the country.

Senator Myrie derives inspiration for his public service from his mother, who moved to Brooklyn 40 years ago from Costa Rica on the promise of a mattress in a friend’s apartment and a job at a factory. Myrie is a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School and earned his B.A. in Communications and M.A. in Urban Studies from Fordham University. He later earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School.

HONOREE: KATE MACKENZIE , MS, RD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF FOOD POLICY

As Executive Director of New York City’s Mayor’s Office of Food Policy (MOFP), Kate advises the Mayor on all issues related to food policy and the City’s food system.

Under Mayor Adams, Kate leads the City’s Good Food Purchasing commitments, focused on increasing access to healthy, sustainable foods for the over 238 million meals and snacks served daily by City agencies, from public schools to senior centers. Through this work, MOFP seeks to provide greater transparency into all aspects of food procured by the City of New York. She also ensures the City’s food standards are upheld by agencies. She drives the action to advance Food Forward NYC, the City’s first ever 10-year food policy plan, that lays out a comprehensive policy framework to reach a more equitable, sustainable, and healthy food system by 2031.

Kate is a recognized leader, with over two decades of experience fighting for food security and broader anti-poverty solutions in New York City and nationally. She comes to the Mayor’s Office from nearly two decades in non-profit organizations and academia.

Kate holds a master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University. She is also a registered dietician. of Meagan P. Martin. She is a black belt in Shotokan Karate, loves to dance, and has two titles that she boasts about: the “Empress of Karaoke” and “Grandma-ma.”

CO-OWNER, RISE & ROOT FARM | CO-FOUNDER, BLACK URBAN GROWERS

Karen Washington is a farmer and community activist, striving to make the New York City a better place to live. As a community gardener and board member of the New York Botanical Gardens, she worked with Bronx neighborhoods to turn empty lots into community gardens.

As an advocate, and former president of the New York City Community Garden Coalition, she stood up and spoke out for garden protection and preservation. As a member of the La Familia Verde Garden Coalition, she helped launch a City Farms Market, bringing fresh vegetables to the community.

In 2010, Co- Founded Black Urban Growers (BUGS) an organization supporting growers in both urban and rural settings. Karen is a board member of Soul Fire Farm and organization committed to undoing racism and injustice in the food system. Former board member and co-founder of Farm School NYC, leading workshops on growing food and food justice across the country and Why Hunger advisory board bringing grassroots support organizations aimed at ending hunger.

In 2012, Ebony magazine voted her one of their 100 most influential African Americans in the country, in 2014 was the recipient of the James Beard Leadership Award and in 2019 co-founded Black Farmer Fund aimed at supporting black farms and businesses with capital and resources in New York State.

• In 2020 Essence magazine name Karen one of their Essential Heroes recipients.

• In 2021 Forbes magazine named Karen as one of their 50 over 50 impact leaders.

• Since retiring from Physical Therapy in 2014, Karen is Co-owner/Farmer at Rise & Root Farm in Chester, New York.

HONOREE: NOREEN SPRINGSTEAD

PRESIDENT & CEO OF PARTNERSHIP FOR A HEALTHIER AMERICA

Noreen Springstead is the President and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) and has more than three decades of experience in the hunger space. Noreen is focused on expanding PHA’s mission of transforming the food landscape and pushing forward PHA’s goal of adding 100 million additional servings of vegetables, fruits, and beans to the marketplace around the country by 2025.

Noreen comes to PHA after serving as the Executive Director of WhyHunger—a 48 yearold global organization working in over 30 countries to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food, by providing critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial and economic justice.

At WhyHunger, Noreen guided the organization’s philanthropic vision of solving the hunger crisis, seeking to implement systemic change to tackle the root cause of hunger, and building social justice for all. Noreen’s vision shaped WhyHunger’s programmatic, philanthropic, and marketing strategies.

Under Noreen’s direction, WhyHunger established successful partnerships with diverse companies such as Hard Rock International, Albertsons, Audacy New York, SiriusXM, ASCAP, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition among others. As part of WhyHunger’s signature program Artists Against Hunger & Poverty, Noreen built long-term relationships with notable artists including Bruce Springsteen, Yoko Ono Lennon, Carlos Santana, their management and record labels, resulting in millions of dollars of support for WhyHunger and its communitybased partners.Noreen is frequently called upon as a thought leader to discuss the hunger crisis and was named one of the most powerful female change makers by SHAPE magazine in 2019 and a Notable Non-Profit leader by CRAIN’S New York Business in 2021. Noreen uses her platform to challenge the dominant narrative about hunger and its solutions and has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Fast Company, WCBS Newsradio 880 and The Record among other outlets.

Noreen started with WhyHunger in 1992 as a front desk assistant and quickly worked up the ranks. Noreen is a graduate of Rutgers University and has a BA in Political Science. A lifelong leader and learner, Noreen completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Course Leadership, Organizing and Action and a course at the University of Notre Dame NonProfit Business Excellence Continuing Education Program.

Thanks to our individual donors, corporate and foundation partners, volunteers, friends, and stakeholders who make our work possible! Your generosity fuels our work!

TCAH’s programs and services are a lifeline for many struggling New Yorkers. Thank you for bringing hope and food to those in need.

ABOUT TCAH

The Campaign Against Hunger’s beginnings was undeniably modest—Dr. Melony Samuels, TCAH’s CEO, and Founder, responded to the needs of one single mother struggling to feed her four children. She would later serve 50 families in a church basement in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Fast forward 25 years to today, TCAH is one of NYC’s food security champions, serving over 1.5 million New Yorkers in 145 zip codes and a whopping 15 million nutritious meals annually.

TCAH believes all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background or circumstances. TCAH’s holistic model of providing equitable access to healthy food coupled with wrap-around services is indicative of our commitment to solutions that respond to the ever-changing needs and social context of the communities we serve. TCAH’s multifaceted approach provides culturally-relevant foods and builds and celebrates community through nutrition services, public benefits access, urban farms, culinary programs, youth employment opportunities, and other vital programs and services.

A brick-and-mortar food pantry served the organization well for the first decade but ultimately limited our capacity to reach a growing community of working families, immigrants, seniors, and youth. In response, TCAH began to envision and realize different models of food distribution to reach those who, for various reasons, could not come to our physical location on Fulton Street.

By seeking ideas from community members currently using its services, TCAH continues to innovate and develop a robust and varied approach to supporting those who need food to address their limitations and maintain their dignity. TCAH established the Urban Healthy Food Coalition – a core group of community leaders and advocates, after the pandemic to address gaps in food access across underserved communities throughout NYC.

BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THROUGH URBAN FARMING THE BIRTH AND EVOLUTION

OF TCAH'S FARMS AND GARDENS

TCAH's CEO and Founder, Dr. Melony Samuels, had a big ambition to start farming when she realized that access to fresh food was challenging for her neighbors in BedStuy and the surrounding communities. Dr. Samuels, a Jamaican by birth, knew that once a green space was available, it could be transformed to grow food! She was motivated to utilize two plots of garden spaces behind the 2010 Fulton St location – which had become TCAH's Benefits Access Office, and the former pantry housed in the Full Gospel Tabernacle of Faith Church at 15A Hull St. She expressed the idea of farming, but was dissuaded by the notion that one could not grow in an urban community! However, she knew that this was crucial as many of the families coming to TCAH could not afford fresh leafy greens and vegetables. It was a scarce and expensive commodity, so she began farming the two "Victory Gardens!"

The two lots approximately 4,000 sft has grown today to TCAH's half-acre urban farm in Far Rockaway, Saratoga Farm, Brownsville Farm, and Linden Farm in Brooklyn. Annually, TCAH produces 20,000 pounds of food on our four urban farms, distributed to high-need communities, providing over 100 varieties of nutritious, culturally rich leafy greens and vegetables through various delivery mechanisms, including farmers' markets and mobile pantries. TCAH is proud to announce that we will break ground on an 8,000 SF Urban Agriculture Education Center at the Marlboro Houses in Coney Island in 2024 to expand access to more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables in the community.

BUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THROUGH NUTRITION EDUCATION.

THE BIRTH AND EVOLUTION OF TCAH’S NUTRITION EDUCATION CLASSES

TCAH’s Eat Well Live Well Program for health-challenged NYC seniors began in 2009 to address the co-morbidity of low-income Black and brown older adults. Many seniors were coming to TCAH who were diabetic, hypertensive, and obese. We had to do something, so we sprang into action, offering classes to improve their health, increase life expectancy, and lower the healthcare costs of the 36 men and women participating in the program.

During the 12-week program, we worked with the seniors to lower their blood pressure, reduce weight and tobacco use, improve their moods, and increase their physical strength, endurance, balance, and agility. Participants underwent regular health monitoring and attended classroom and field educational presentations on healthy living, including good cooking practices, a nutritious diet, physical exercise, and gardening.

TCAH’s Eat Well Live Well program laid the foundation for our Community Health Initiative Programs (CHIP), which, before the pandemic, offered over 500 intergenerational nutrition education workshops and demos yearly to inspire and teach communities how to make healthy lifestyle choices. TCAH is proud that we offer culinary arts training to disadvantaged youths today through our Beach Eats and Arts Café in Far Rockaway!

OUR IMPACT TO DATE

1.5 MILLION New Yorkers Assisted Annually

15 MILLION Nutritious Meals Annually

3 MILLION in Tax Returns

110,000+ ASSISTED IN SNAP BENEFITS

4,000 VOLUNTEERS A YEAR

GRADUATED 130+ VULNERABLE YOUTH

Did you know TCAH cultivates over 20,000 pounds of produce annualy through our urban farms?

Your continued support helps families that rely on TCAH's community services.

During the pandemic, TCAH expanded its fleet to 8 trucks to provide more nutritious food to New Yorkers in need.

TCAH's Urban Farms provide fresh food to New Yorkers throughout the 5 Boroughs.

Our SuperPantry offers a clientchoice experience with dignity.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR TCAH: FOOD HUB

The Campaign Against Hunger is proud to announce that it has secured funding to develop a first-of-its-kind permanent community food hub in Brooklyn! The hub will address food insecurity, expand healthy food access, increase the local communities' distribution capacity, create storage space, and serve as a beacon of best-in-class food production, training and education facility. The hub will permanently house warehouse operations, green space for growing healthy food, and refrigeration and freezer space - a well-needed commodity to amplify TCAH's food partner network's capacity to store, pack, and distribute healthy food throughout NYC!

Thank you to our elected partners for coming alongside us to bridge the meal gap in underserved communities. We cannot do this work with you.

April 10, 2023

Greetings:

It is my honor and privilege to congratulate the Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) for hosting the 12th Planter Awards Gala on May 3, 2023 for the purpose of recognizing outstanding local leaders who have made significant contributions to food justice throughout New York City.

The following honorees this year are truly deserving of this achievement and I want to personally thank each and every one of them for their service to the community: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of The Mayor's Office of Food Policy; Noreen Springstead, President and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America; and Karen Washington, Co-Owner of Rise & Root Farm and Co-Founder, Black Urban Growers.

Besides honoring those who are making a difference, this gala will raise funds to help those facing hunger throughout the City. The need is great with nearly 1.6 million New Yorkers living with food insecurity. Everyone deserves nutritious food which is the basis for a healthy and productive life. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly support the ongoing efforts of The Campaign Against Hunger to prevent hunger and the wonderful upcoming Planters Awards Gala they are hosting.

Sincerely yours,

James Sanders Jr.

Senator

10th Senate District

May 3, 2023

Greetings:

It is with great pleasure that I extend congratulations to The Campaign Against Hunger, on its 12th Planter Awards Gala.

Your substantial contributions in meeting the needs of the community by improving access to nutritious food and related resources, and collaborating with elected officials, community-based organizations, and partners around the city and beyond to advance food justice in N ew York City are noteworthy. Your mission to empower your neighbors to lead healthier, more productive, and self -sufficient lives by increasing access to safe, nutritious food and related resources, is a reflection of the value you place in the lives of others.

Congratulations to the honorees: Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Kate MacKenzie - Executive Director of The Mayor's Office of Food Policy, Noreen Springstead - President and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America and Karen Washington - Co-Owner of Rise & Root Farm and Co -Founder, Black Urban Growers in recognition of your partnership, steadfastness and exceptional strides in empowering humanity, breaking down obstacles and achieving results.

It is my sincere wish that the Awards Gala exceeds your high expectations, and it is enjoyable for all. Continue to be a beacon, giving your service each day to make the future brighter for humanity. Once again, congratulations and very best wishes for repeated success on your commitment to provide food access, resources and services for New Yorker s.

Very truly yours,

Roxanne J. Persaud

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK ADRIENNE E. ADAMS SPEAKER

May 3, 2023

Dear Friends:

As the Speaker of the New York City Council, I am very happy to extend my warmest greetings to everyone gathered for The Campaign Against Hunger’s (TCAH) 12th annual Planter Awards.

In its 25 remarkable years, TCAH has grown from a small operation in a church basement to one of the largest and most trusted emergency food and community support organizations in New York City.

Through its services and programming aimed at educating adults, children, and families about healthy eating and active living, it has also played a critical role in our efforts to help fight hunger and food insecurity in every borough.

This commitment was particularly important during the height of the COVID -19 pandemic when a hunger crisis already impacting far too many of our communities was dramatically worsened.

So, my heartfelt thanks to the entire TCAH team for the critically important work they are doing to help ensure the health and wellbeing of our fellow New Yorkers.

Congratulations as well to this year’s honorees.

Here’s wishing TCAH continued success in the years ahead, and everyone a wonderful celebration!

Sincerely,

ADRIENNE E. ADAMS SPEAKER

THE ASSEM BLY STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

LATRICE M. WALKER MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY 55TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT KINGS COUNTY

May 3, 2023

The Campaign Against Hunger

2010 Fulton St. Brooklyn, NY 11233

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the constituents of New York State’s 55th Assembly District, it is my honor to welcome everyone to the 12th Annual Planter Awards hosted by The Campaign Against Hunger. I have enjoyed a tremendous working relationship with The Campaign, partnering in our shared efforts to help some of the most vulnerable residents of our community.

Congratulations to the leadership and staff for all that you have done over the last 25 years. I have long been an admirer of the work done by The Campaign Against Hunger. Your dedication to food equity has set a worthy standard for all to emulate.

The Planter Awards honors local leaders whose work has improved the lives of people across New York City. This year is no different. Kudos to honoree Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic Leader for the 118th Congress. Congrats to my friend and fellow legislator, State Senator Zellnor Myrie.

I would also like to recognize the outstanding contributions of Kate MacKenzie, the executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. Salute to Karen Washington, an activist and founder of Rise & Root Farm and to Noreen Springstead, president & CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America

I hope you have a wildly successful event. I look forward to working with you again soon.

Sincerely,

Latrice Monique Walker, Esq.

Greetings:

As we celebrate the 12th Planter Awards Gala, I write this letter to express my admiration for the commitment shown to reducing food apartheid across the 31st Assembly District. There has been tremendous work done by The Campaign Against Hunger this past year. I want to thank the entire team for all of the hard work and dedication put into this organization.

The Campaign Against Hunger exists to empower its neighbors to live healthier, more productive, and self-sufficient lives by increasing access to safe, nutritious food and related resources. TCAH works tirelessly to create better and healthier lives for vulnerable individuals and families in New York City

Congratulations to the honorees- Democratic Leader Hakeem Jefferies, Senator Zellnor Myrie, Karen Washington, Kate MacKenzie, and Noreen Springstead. The commitment and work put in by all of you have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for your diligence and support in assisting the citizens of New York State.

Congratulations on this success, It is my sincere wish that this celebration exceeds your high expectations, and it is enjoyable for all..

Warm regards,

Assemblyman Khaleel M. Anderson 31st District

THE COUNCIL of THE CITY OF NEW YORK

May 3rd, 2023

Dr Melony Samuels

The Campaign Against Hunger

2010 Fulton Street

Brooklyn, NY 11233

Dear Dr. Samuels,

It is my sincere pleasure to congratulate you and the entire The Campaign Against Hunger staff on this special occasion, the 12th Planter Awards Gala Tonight is a celebration of all you have accomplished and a formal recognition of your unwavering commitment to continue serving our communities The impact of your work is truly immeasurable, empowering our neighbors to lead healthy lives and nurturing safe communities not just in Brooklyn but across the five boroughs

I also want to extend my deep gratitude to tonight’s award recipients––Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director of The Mayor's Office of Food Policy; Noreen Springstead, President and CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America; and Karen Washington, Co-Owner of Rise & Root Farm and Co-Founder of Black Urban Growers––whose work and tireless advocacy creates opportunity for thousands of New Yorkers

Your work, Dr. Samuels, is a lifeline to thousands. It is life affirming, innovative, and truly revolutionary in spirit I look forward to continuing my support for The Campaign Against Hunger in all facets of its i i C l i ce again to you, your staff, and tonight’s honorees on a successful 2022, and o serve our shared community!

June 23, 2023

Dr. Melony Samuels The Campaign Against Hunger

2010 Fulton Street

Brooklyn, NY 11233

Dear Dr. Samuels,

It is with immense pleasure that I extend my heartfelt best wishes to the The Campaign Against Hunger (TCAH) on the grand occasion of its 12th Planter Awards Gala

On behalf of the people of the 46th Council District, all of whom I have the privilege to represent in the New York City Council, I commend TCAH’s for its 25-year-long commitment to combatting hunger in New York with a holistic and dignified approach. Under your leadership, TCAH has done outstanding and vital work to reduce food insecurity across the five boroughs Through this hard work and advocacy, TCAH has made a substantial impact, most reently during the COVID-19 pandemic providing over 20 million meals annually.

I understand the work you do will only be successful with strong community and professional partnerships, therefore, I am especially pleased to also join you in offering my congratulations to all of this evening’s distinguished and well deserving honorees. I personally thank and salute them for their unrelenting support and dedicated community service. Allow me to offer my enthusiastic applause to my colleagues in government, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and State Senator Zellnor, along with Karen Washington, Kate MacKenzie and Noreen Springstead. Keep up the great work!

Once again, please accept my sincere congratulations on a quarter century of impactful service May you enjoy a safe and successful event.

Sincerely,

Mercedes Narcisse

Member of the City Council

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PROUD TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER ON ITS 2023 PLANTER AWARDS & HONOREES

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COMMUNITY RESILIENCY

The Campaign Against Hunger

in their efforts to empower communities to lead healthier, more productive, and self-sufficient lives by increasing access to safe, nutritious food and related resources.

At EmblemHealth, we go beyond coverage to support the health of our communities because we mean health. Thank you Campaign Against Hunger for going beyond to make a difference.

emblemhealth.com/wemeanhealth

we mean health

For all your dedication to The Campaign Against Hunger and all the good works you do in providing meals to those in need

Thank you for your continued commitment, dedication and service to this extremely worthwhile organization

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

And special thanks to: All of our dedicated volunteers, staff and supporters

WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER (TCAH) in its mission to increase food access in our community. We are inspired by TCAH’s achievements and impact.

Congratulations to this year’s Planter Awards Honorees:

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Kate MacKenzie, Karen Washington and Noreen Springstead. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP www.cadwalader.com

2010 Fulton Street

Brooklyn, NY 11233

Phone: 718.773.3551