Congresswoman Velázquez Highlights Food Insecurity at Charity Event

Queens, NEW YORK – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY)  joined local and upstate non-profits and food pantries to discuss solutions to the food insecurity crisis facing over one million New Yorkers at a food donation event. During the event, Congresswoman Velázquez and others spoke about the policies and community-based efforts to tackle the food insecurity crisis.
 

“When we talk about access to food, how food is produced and consumed, we touch a whole range of topics - income inequality; the environment; education; and public health,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “I’m proud to support organizations like 9 Million Reasons and the Compassion Coalition who are on the front lines of the fight against food insecurity. Despite their incredible work, they cannot end hunger on their own. That’s why we need policies at the city, state, and federal level that achieve our shared goal of expanding healthy and affordable food.”
 
“Our office has worked with our community partners to bring culturally appropriate food distributions to our neighbors and has also funded organizations like 9 Million Reasons to help fight food insecurity in our district. But as we continue to welcome migrants and asylum seekers, the City needs to ensure that there is enough funding to continue supporting 9 Million Reasons as they expand to feed the over 1 million New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Thank you to Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez for your support for 9 Million Reasons and for the work you’re doing to fight food insecurity.”
 
“Compassion Coalition is happy to partner with Evangel Church and 9 Million Reasons Everything Compassion Coalition does is firmly grounded in its mission: To serve the underprivileged, the needy, the poor, the afflicted and those lacking opportunity and basic life necessities such as affordable food, clothing, housing, transportation, employment and finances. We will work locally, regionally, nationally and globally as needed to accomplish our mission. We are honored to work with wonderful partners like Pastor Carolyn Marko and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez,” said Pastor Mike Servello Sr., founder and CEO of Compassion Coalition.
 
“Evangel Church, 9 Million Reasons is NYC's largest , volunteer-based community food pantry, located in Long Island City. Since March of 2020 we've been putting our energy into feeding the hungry. Food insecurity in NYC has doubled to two million and of them almost 600,000 are children. Our heart's desire is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in NYC. We provide food to 275 other food pantries. We are also now the food and clothing hub for the incoming migrants from Venezuela, Costa Rica, Honduras, etc. We are fortunate to have partners like Compassion Coalition and a caring representative like Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez to help us,” said Pastor Carolyn Marko , CEO and Founder 9 Million Reasons.