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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, and NYPD Chief of Department Joseph Esposito today helped launch the 18th annual citywide Daily News Reader's Care to Feed the Hungry Food Drive by making canned food donations at the Duane Street Fire House in Lower Manhattan. The Daily News' food drive is part of City Harvest's "Harvest Season", which runs from November 1st to January 15, 2002 during which City Harvest hopes to collect 520,000 pounds of food for the city's emergency food programs. The Daily News' Food Drive will collect non-perishables from November 21st through the end of the holiday season.

Also announced during today's ceremony was the donation of more than 3,000 pounds of turkey by the Korean -American Foundation, Corp, a non-profit organization that collects donations to help feed the homeless and less fortunate.

Joining the Mayor at the launch, in addition to the City officials, were City Harvest Executive Director Julia Erickson, President of Modell's Sporting Goods Mitchell Modell and Daily News President and Chief Operating Officer Les Goodstein, sponsors of this year's food drive. Representing the Korean-American Foundation, Corp. was its president, David Chun.

"I am honored to be here as we kick off the 18th annual Daily News Reader's Care to Feed the Hungry Food Drive," said Mayor Giuliani. "Not only is this the largest single food drive in New York, but City Harvest is the largest and oldest food rescue organization in the world.

"This year more than any before all New Yorkers need to remember those among us who are less fortunate," the Mayor continued. "This food drive gives us the unique opportunity to show our collective good will by making a donation to this very good cause. And as the City continues to move forward from its most recent challenge, we must remember that the true strength of our City lies in its people and their generosity in times of need. I'm confident that New Yorkers will rise to the occasion again, and that this year's food drive will be even more of a success than those in years past."

Last year, the Daily News Reader's Care to Feed the Hungry Food Drive collected 137,000 pounds of canned goods for shelters, food pantries and soup kitchens in the five boroughs.

New York City Police Precincts and Firehouses, as well as many churches, synagogues, schools, entertainment venues and workplaces, will open their doors at City Harvest collection sites in every community. The lobby of the Daily News, and Modell's Sporting Goods stores in New York City will also serve as drop-off points. And from December 3rd through to the 7th New York City students will collect food for "Kids Can Help Days" which is being co-sponsored by the New York City Board of Education.

City Harvest regularly distributes food to more than 700 emergency food programs, which helps to feed more than 145,000 people every week.

The Daily News Readers Care to Feed the Hungry Food Drive is sponsored by City Harvest, the Daily News, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Fire Department, and Modell's Sporting Goods.

The donation of the turkeys by the Korean-American Foundation, Corp has been a tradition for the last 15 years. Vouchers for the turkeys - approximately 300 - will be distributed by City Harvest.

www.nyc.gov