In honor of those whose lives were lost or forever changed by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Mayor Bramson and the city of New Rochelle is supporting Volunteer New York!’s efforts to provide community members with meaningful ways to give back as part of the National Day of Service of Remembrance. To align with social distancing best practices, this year there will be no in-person volunteer activities as event organizers have looked to focus their efforts on the most pressing community issue: a food insecurity spike caused by COVID-19.
As a way to take action Volunteer New York! has partnered with New Rochelle food pantries United Community Center of Westchester and HOPE Community Services to offer a city wide COVID-19 Hunger Relief Drive to help address the recent 40% increase in food insecurity. To participate in #911Day opportunities in New Rochelle please register at volunteernewyork.org/newrochelle or for more information visit serveandremember.org.
HOPE Community Services Executive Director, Walt Ritz, said, “When the COVID crisis first impacted New Rochelle we realized we needed to make some changes and we needed to make them quickly . . . so we decided to load up our van with the supplies we would typically give out and bring the food pantry to them.” Waltz continued, “Today we reach over 1,000 seniors weekly in the senior buildings in New Rochelle so that they can maintain their safety during the COVID-19 crisis.”
“In this year of unprecedented challenges, we have supported and sustained each other through the remarkable work of volunteers and community agencies. As we approach 9/11, all of us have an opportunity to recommit ourselves to our neighbors through volunteer activities that respect the social distancing requirements of COVID, while still addressing urgent human needs in New Rochelle,” said New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson.
Additional #911DAY DIY (Do-it-yourself) volunteer opportunities that can be done from home include making protective face masks for United Community Center of Westchester in New Rochelle and their front line volunteers in need of protective gear.
“Every volunteer on September 11, 2001 risked something by showing up to help. On this #911DAY we call on all New Yorkers to show up in this same spirit of resilience and civic responsibility once again ready to give in whatever way they can,” said Jeanette Gisbert, Volunteer New York! Executive Director. “You don’t have to go it alone either, consider getting your family, office or friends to join you. We’re stronger together.”
STATE OF HUNGER – A SPECIAL #911DAY LIVE STREAMING EVENT
When: September 1 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: Virtual
To bring awareness to the severity of this COVID-19 food insecurity spike that is devastating the most vulnerable among us, #911DAY volunteers are also invited to a special panel discussion on Tuesday, September 1 at 7 pm with nonprofit leaders and food insecurity experts as they look into the alarming state of hunger in our community in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.