Last week, Food Bank For New York City sent approximately 20,000 meals and critical supplies to its sister food bank, Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico. JetBlue and its partner, Atlas, delivered the items to Puerto Rico, where they’ll be distributed to victims of Hurricane Maria.

Packages that included bottled water, shelf stable food, and other needed supplies, like diapers and feminine hygiene products, were wrapped and made ready for distribution before being loaded into trucks headed for JFK Airport. 

“Sandy taught us that in a disaster the first thing you want to know is that you are not forgotten, and sending needed supplies is an important way to show New York stands with Puerto Rico,” said Food Bank For New York City President and CEO Margarette Purvis. “When Hurricane Maria hit, we immediately knew we needed to help our sister Food Bank in Puerto Rico, but like many New Yorkers, we didn’t know how we could get supplies to those who needed them most. All great solutions require collaboration, that’s something we know every day in the fight to end hunger. It’s inspiring to see so many New Yorkers come together to help our friends and family in need.”

“JetBlue crewmembers regularly volunteer at Food Bank’s Community Kitchen.  When we heard about the citywide effort to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico, we immediately jumped in, along with our partner, Atlas,” said Icema Gibbs, director of corporate social responsibility, JetBlue. “JetBlue is supporting recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean and we have asked our customers and crewmembers and community to do the same.”

Food Bank also opened collection sites across the City to accept donations of food and supplies for ongoing shipments to the Caribbean. New Yorkers can find drop-off sites and lists of needed items at: http://www.foodbanknyc.org/new-yorkers-united/

About Food Bank For New York City

Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years. Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank for food and other resources. Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 61 million free meals for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank For New York City’s income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $110 million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence. Food Bank’s nutrition education programs and services empower more than 50,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget. Working toward long-term solutions to food poverty, Food Bank develops policy and conducts research to inform community and government efforts. To learn more about how you can help, please visit foodbanknyc.org.  Follow us on Facebook (FoodBankNYC), Twitter (@FoodBank4NYC) and Instagram (FoodBank4NYC).