Why They’re Food Heroes: Met Council quickly set up a Coronavirus Resource Center to connect New Yorkers with support of all kinds through the COVID-19 pandemic. This included expanding their already-huge network of kosher food distribution sites, helping people sign up for SNAP benefits, and many non-food-related forms of assistance. The organization raised millions of dollars for the Nourish New York Initiative, providing funding for food pantries across the state. They also provided kosher food appropriate for Passover seder to thousands of Jewish families in New York City, and delivered kosher meals to Queens residents for Rosh Hashana. CEO David Greenfield was a vocal supporter of COVID-19 vaccination for food pantry workers and volunteers before Governor Andrew Cuomo opened eligibility to them.
Background: The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty was formed as a cooperative of thirty-six Jewish organizations (from New York City and nationally) in 1972 in response to two studies revealing the level of Jewish poverty in New York City reached three hundred thousand New Yorkers. It was initially founded to help the Jewish poor, but today helps New Yorkers of all backgrounds and religions.
Work: The organization offers many services to needy New Yorkers, including kosher food relief, affordable housing, domestic violence services, career training, and more.
Location: Throughout New York City
Awards, Praise and Honors: Met Council received a $100,000 Complete Count Fund Award from the City and CUNY partnership’s campaign to get a complete count for the 2020 United States Census.
Website: Met Council, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Resources and References:
- New Rochelle Food Pantry Now Serves Kosher Westchester Families (Patch)
- Met Council Feeds Thousands With America’s Largest Pesach Free Food Distribution In Boro Park, Williamsburg (The Yeshiva World)
- NY Charity Wants Vaccines For Pantry Workers (Arutz Sheva)
- Met Council Delivers Food For Rosh Hashana to Clients in Queens (NY1)
- Met Council Celebrates $50 Million Farmers To Food Pantries Program (Jewish Press)
