MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND FIRE COMMISSIONER
NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA JOIN CITY HARVEST AND MODELL’S TO
KICK OFF 20TH ANNUAL “DAILY NEWS’ READERS CARE TO FEED
THE HUNGRY OF NEW YORK” CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Daily News President and Chief Operating Officer Les Goodstein and Modell’s Chairman Bill Modell today joined City Harvest Executive Director Julia Erickson and 6th Graders from the Neighborhood School to kick off of the 20th Annual “Daily News’ Readers Care to Feed the Hungry of New York” canned food drive. The food drive was kicked off at a press conference at Engine Company 7/Ladder Company 1 in Tribeca.

“This annual food drive has become an important a part of the holiday season – giving us all the chance to learn once again that it’s better to give than to receive,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “I applaud the Daily News and City Harvest for keeping this campaign going for 20 years, as well as Modell’s and New York’s Bravest and Finest for once again playing such an important role.
I encourage everyone to donate food at a police precinct or fire house, at a Modell’s store, or to call City Harvest and find out how to organize a food drive in your neighborhood, school, workplace or place of worship. To find the nearest location to donate food, New Yorkers should call 311.”

“The New York City Fire Department has earned a laudable reputation for coming to the aid of those in need," said Commissioner Scoppetta. "It is a pleasure to team up with City Harvest and welcome all New Yorkers to come to the aid of those in need by donating food at one of the 225 firehouses that serve this great city.”

“The Daily News is pleased and privileged to continue its leadership role in this food drive, the largest in New York City," said Les Goodstein, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Daily News. “I would like to thank Mayor Bloomberg and his office, the NYPD, the FDNY and Modell's for their continued support, City Harvest for being with us for the past 20 years and the great people of this City for continuing to contribute to this cause.”

“With the numbers of hungry New Yorkers growing everyday, City Harvest appreciates the support we are receiving to provide nutritious meals to community food programs that feed the women, men and children of our city,” said Julia Erickson.

Beginning November 20th and continuing through January 9, 2004, people will be able to drop off non-perishable food at all NYC police precinct or fire house, the Daily News lobby (450 West 33rd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues) and at all Modell’s locations in New York City. Donations will be distributed to various emergency programs to feed the City’s hungry through the holiday season. Over the past 19 years, this campaign has netted 500 tons of non-perishable food.

In addition, New York City students will collect food for “Kids Can Help Days,”
co-sponsored by the New York City Department of Education from December 8-12.

Contact: Edward Skyler / Robert Lawson (212) 788-2958
Francis X. Gribbon (FDNY) (718) 999-2056
David Lipke (for The Daily News) (212) 685-4300

http://www.nyc.gov