The Long Island Board of Realtors, Inc. (LIBOR) announced recently they will be contributing $10,000 to support community hunger relief programs in Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The contributions, which will be equally divided between Island Harvest and City Harvest, will be used towards helping individuals and families hardest hit during this unprecedented public health crisis.
“Realtors do more than sell houses. We live and work in the communities we serve, and we support those communities, especially in times of crisis. Whether it’s rebuilding homes devastated by a natural disaster or feeding families suffering from hunger, we are committed to helping our neighbors in need.” said LIBOR President Matthew Arnold.
Now more than ever, hungry seniors, veterans, families and those recently unemployed, are turning to food relief organizations for help. According to City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization, 2.5 million working-age New Yorkers were struggling to make ends meet, even before the crisis. Now, many more are experiencing crippling financial hardship, especially with schools and many businesses forced to close. With challenges and needs expected to rise in the weeks and months to come, City Harvest will rescue and deliver 25.2 million pounds of nutritious food to meet the increased need, from now until June 30, 2020.
Since the beginning of March, Island Harvest, Long Island’s largest hunger-relief organization, has distributed more than one million pounds of food and provided over one million meals across Long Island. The organization has launched Phase III of their Emergency Response Appeal, with a goal to distribute over a million meals to those who were relying on food assistance before the crisis, and to those who have been affected by the economic impact of COVID-19.
“These are trying times for many Americans, with many households facing food insecurity for the first time during this crisis. Our contribution will provide some needed relief to those who need it most in our communities and will help families put meals on their tables.” said LIBOR CEO Tessa Hultz.
Helping to make strides towards solutions for hunger in our communities is not a new initiative for the Long Island Board of. In 2008 LIBOR’s Public Relations Committee created Realtors Against Hunger (RAH), an annual food collection campaign which calls on REALTORS® across the island to raise funds, non-perishable food items and awareness for hundreds of local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs that feed the hungry.
“Even as we stay home, Realtors rise to the challenge of giving back, helping and strengthening our communities, because that’s who we are.” added Arnold.
Contributions to Island Harvest and City Harvest can be made at:
The Long Island Board of Realtors is a leading regional realtor trade association serving Long Island and Queens with over 27,000 members. More information about LIBOR is available at www.lirealtor.com or by calling 631.661.4800.
