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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 311-04
November 22, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND KELLY JOIN CITY HARVEST AND MODELL’S TO KICK OFF 21st ANNUAL "DAILY NEWS' READERS CARE TO FEED THE HUNGRY OF NEW YORK" CANNED FOOD DRIVE

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Daily News Vice President of Promotion and Community Affairs John Campi, 77 WABC Radio President and General Manager Tim McCarthy today joined Modell’s CEO Mitchell Modell and City Harvest Executive Director Julia Erickson to kick off of the 21st 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 shows the positive impact that we can make when New Yorkers join together to help those in need,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “The Daily News and City Harvest have led the City’s food drive for more than twenty years, and they’ve found valuable partners in New York’s Bravest and Finest, as well as in Modell’s Sporting Goods.  Last year’s holiday drive collected 432,000 pounds of food and I want to challenge New Yorkers to donate even more.   To find the nearest precinct, firehouse, or Modell’s that is collecting food, just call 311.  And if you’d like to learn more about how to organize a food drive in your own neighborhood, school, workplace or place of worship, contact City Harvest.”

“The men and women of the FDNY have long been associated with coming to aid of those in need.  Whether a medical emergency or a dramatic rescue from a fire, the New York City Fire Department will always be there,” said Commissioner Scoppetta.  “We are extremely proud to once again partner with City Harvest and help come to the aid of those in need during this holiday season.”

“The Police Department is happy to play a role in this effort to help feed New York's hungry,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.  “Police officers are a part of the fabric of the communities they protect. This food drive is a great example of the partnership between them.”

“The Daily News started this food drive because we saw that people in our city were hungry - and we were in a unique position to help.  Our readers are incredibly generous and have been helping feed their fellow New Yorkers for 21 years.  We continue the drive each year because hunger is still a major issue in our city,” said John Campi.

“On behalf of the thousands of hungry women, men and children who will be helped by Daily News Readers Care Food Drive, City Harvest thanks all of our partners who work so hard to make this city-wide effort a continued success,” according to Julia Erickson.

Between November 22nd and January 7, 2005, people will be able to drop off non-perishable foods at all New York City Firehouses and Police Precincts, the lobby of the Daily News (450 West 33rd Street), and all Modell’s Sporting Goods locations throughout the City.  The annual food drive has grown to become the largest food drive in the City of New York.  Last year alone, the drive collected more than 216 tons of canned goods and distributed it to various emergency programs to feed the City’s hungry. 







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Silvia Alvarez   (212) 788-2958




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