Food Bank For New York City Launches NYC Goes Orange to Help End Hunger

New York, NY (October 17, 2005) - NYC Goes Orange...you can too! The week of October 17, the Food Bank For New York City will be joined by many of the city's monuments -- including the Empire State Building and Lincoln Center -- corporations, retailers, restaurants and individuals, in a week-long, citywide initiative -- NYC Goes Orange -- to raise funds and awareness and help increase public consciousness of the fact that two million people in New York City are at risk of hunger. NYC Goes Orange takes on added significance in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as important resources such as food, funds and overall support for New Yorkers in need are becoming more limited. Now more than ever, New Yorkers need to step forward to help fellow New Yorkers.

There are many ways in which individuals can Go Orange to show their support for hunger relief. Wear the Food Bank's new Official Hunger Awareness pin. Designed by famed photographer, illustrator and filmmaker, Matt Mahurin, the Go Orange pin simultaneously symbolizes that one in five New Yorkers is at risk of going hungry and that each individual pin bearer is doing their part to help end hunger.

In addition to the landmark Empire State Building Going Orange by illuminating its façade in Orange on the night of October 17 and the exquisite Fountain at Lincoln Center Going Orange,
corporations like Citibank are holding virtual food drives; many of New York's posh restaurants have created special Orange drink promotions and Chef Mario Batali's famed eatery Otto will promote Go Orange throughout the week.

"While we have been working tirelessly with other disaster-relief organizations and are pleased to be able to assist the many victims of Katrina in New Orleans and in the surrounding states, we have also experienced a drop in our own resources," says Food Bank President and CEO Dr. Lucy Cabrera. "At this time, the Food Bank is working especially hard to fulfill our mission to end hunger and to make sure no New Yorker goes hungry. NYC Goes Orange can have a very important and positive impact on the upcoming holiday season for many of our citizens. We hope everyone will support this effort."

Contact:
Carol Schneider
(212) 566-7855