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