July 2023
Chalkbeat: Here’s how NYC families can find free summer meal sites
July 27th, 2023
“In a statement, Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York, called the free meals program a “critical lifeline” for struggling families. The texting service also includes information about how to get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, which if eligible can provide families with additional monthly funds for food.”
CBS New York: Young New Yorkers can access free summer meals through No Kid Hungry text line
July 27th, 2023
CNY Central: Rural CNY school districts receive No Kid Hungry grants to help provide free meals this summer
July 20th, 2023
“No Kid Hungry New York has announced $122,000 in new grants to help New York public schools in rural areas reach and provide more kids with free, nutritious meals all summer long. The new funding to organizations in the Finger Lakes, North Country, Western New York, Mohawk Valley, Hudson Valley and Capital Region will expand programs and overcome barriers that have kept families from accessing resources in summers past by providing grab-n-go meals, home-delivery meals, additional staffing and new meal sites.”
Chalkbeat: At least $120 in pandemic food benefits headed to each NYC public school family, officials say
July 20th, 2023
“In a recent survey, nearly 75% of New York families said it had become harder to afford groceries this past year, according to No Kid Hungry, a national campaign run by the nonprofit Share Our Strength.
‘With so many New Yorkers struggling to pay for food, we’re relieved the USDA has approved the State’s plan to provide P-EBT benefits to eligible families,’ said Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry NY, in a statement.
BKReader: Critical Free Summer Meal Program for Kids is Now Open — Here’s How to Use It
July 15th, 2023
“‘We’re proud to partner with school districts and community groups across the state to make it easy and seamless to find a free summer meals site close to home,’ Sabella said.”
Spectrum News 1: The importance of free summer food programs for kids
July 13th, 2023
“There’s an easier way for New York families in need to help feed their children this summer. The group No Kid Hungry has a national texting hotline that can be used to find free meals for the next few months.”
Hudson Valley 360: Free summer meals for kids across New York are just a text away
July 12th, 2023
“When school lets out for summer, kids lose access to two healthy meals each day. The summer meals program ensures that they have the nutrition they need to return to school in the fall nourished and ready to learn.”
Pix11: A new service provides free meals for New York City kids
July 11th, 2023
“A recent poll found 73% of New York families find it harder to afford groceries this year than in previous years.”
WNYT: New service offers text line for free summer meals
July 11th, 2023
June 2023
The Patch Brooklyn: No Kid Hungry Announces $250,000 In Grants To 5 NY School Districts
June 27th, 2023
“Each of the organizations we’re funding is a frontline provider that helps families put food on the table. Our Community Nutrition Grants will help them do more: more kids whose parents have grocery benefits, more kids screened for programs like the Child Tax Credit that put money back in families’ pockets, more families with a place to turn for food in an emergency. Together, with these school districts and community groups we can get thousands more kids the food they need to thrive in life,” said No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella.
Harlem World Magazine: Mayor Adams Unveils Food Education Roadmap To Promote Healthier School Communities
June 6th, 2023
“This roadmap paves the way for greater access to nutritious, culturally appropriate meals in our schools and in our communities — essential to the health and learning of our next generation,” said Rachel Sabella, New York director, No Kid Hungry.”
Hudson Valley 360: House OKs debt ceiling, Senate next
June 2nd, 2023
“We all recognize the catastrophic impact a default would have, but we’re disappointed that the deal includes policy changes that harm people experiencing hunger and poverty,” No Kid Hungry Director Rachel Sabella said Thursday.
Politico: New York Playbook PM
June 1st, 2023
“An estimated 45,000 New Yorkers are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits due to new restrictions and requirements, the group said.
Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York, said nearly 3 million New Yorkers depend on SNAP to pay for groceries and “put food on the table.”
Spectrum News 1: Food assistance advocates fret debt ceiling deal’s impact in New York
June 1st, 2023
“We shouldn’t be playing politics with programs that help Americans meet their basic needs. Nearly 3 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP to pay for groceries and put food on the table. These are our neighbors, not political pawns. And restricting their benefits has always been more about serving up political talking points rather than saving money.”
May 2023
Oswego County Today: Chancellor King Outlines Far-Reaching Vision in Inaugural State of the University Address, Announces Major Investments In Student Success
May 31st, 2023
“Two years ago, No Kid Hungry was proud to partner with SUNY to address campus food insecurity, and I am thrilled to see anti-hunger initiatives have become part of the fabric of the state university system so that every student can focus on their academic goals rather than where their next meal is going to come from.”
Chalkbeat: At least $391 per child in pandemic food benefits is coming to each NYC public school family
May 10th, 2023
“We know that families with kids in public school are having to make very hard trade-offs right now, deciding between buying food or paying rent, purchasing clothes, or just keeping the lights on,” said Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry NY. “Our recent data indicates that the hunger crisis is worsening in New York, so supporting families with P-EBT funds they can use to put food on the table will be a lifeline for many New Yorkers.”
Spectrum News 1: No Kid Hungry director talks about New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity
May 4th, 2023
“We know that when people have regular access to that nutritious food, it helps them grow stronger. When kids have access to a school breakfast that gives them that balanced meal, they do better in school,” Sabella said. “We want to make sure increased access to healthy foods is available.”
WQXR: REPORT: Two in five New Yorkers have faced food insecurity
May 4th, 2023
No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella highlights policies the state should implement to address the hunger problem in the Empire State, which includes nearly two in five adult New Yorkers experienced some form of food insecurity over the last year, according to a new survey.
PIX 11: Poll shows 75% of New Yorkers struggle to afford groceries
May 2nd, 2023
“A new poll by No Kid Hungry New York uncovered a sobering reality. Three-quarters of adults found it harder to afford groceries over the past 12 months. Also, two in five reported not eating for an entire day, running out of food, or experiencing another symptom of food insecurity.”
FingerLakes.com: New Yorkers call for action as food insecurity and rising costs pinch families
May 2nd, 2023
“No Kid Hungry NY, a prominent advocacy group, has released survey findings revealing that New Yorkers across various income levels are worried about hunger issues. The survey’s results coincide with a significant increase in living costs over the past year, which has strained household budgets and caused a nationwide surge in grocery prices.”
ABC 7 NY: Skyrocketing food prices put shoppers in a bind
May 2nd, 2023
“Rachel Sabella is the director of No Kid Hungry New York, and she says the recent ending of supplemental nutrition assistance program emergency allotment payments around $90 a month, has really hurt during all this inflation.”
Newsday: No Kid Hungry New York survey: Most say it’s become more difficult to afford groceries
May 1st, 2023
“Almost 75% of New Yorkers surveyed are finding it harder to afford groceries now compared with one year ago and 59% said they have experienced stress, anxiety or depression in the past 12 months trying to figure out how to get food on the table for their family.”
NY Daily News: 73% in New York say paying for groceries is harder than 1 year ago: poll
May 1st, 2023
“What we found in this survey was heartbreaking, although not necessarily surprising,” said Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York. “The crisis is here, and it’s just getting worse.”
March 2023
Gotham Gazette: Don’t Let SNAP Break: Action Needed at All 3 Levels of Government So Kids Don’t Go Hungry
March 29th, 2023
“SNAP is too important to too many New Yorkers to be skimmed, delayed, or cut. We have to protect it for the millions of our neighbors who depend on it. Now is the time for elected officials from New York, at every level of government, to protect this vital program.”
amNY: School cafeteria heroes, still on the frontlines feeding the city’s most vulnerable students, honored at annual mayoral ceremony
March 15th, 2023
“The heroes come with diverse histories and stories. There are those who have gone to bed hungry themselves, those who have served the city’s schoolchildren for decades, an immigrant who has cooked at a Russian boarding school, a head cook who espouses a “You Matter” motto to her students, a former accountant, and those who are always the first one in and last one out during school days. Many regularly experience understaffed kitchens. All are being celebrated for their fight against hunger.”
Staten Island Advance: Staten Island school lunch cook recognized as 2023 NYC ‘Hunger Hero’
March 15th, 2023
“These are exemplary professionals who are vital to school communities, and we are grateful for their work. At No Kid Hungry, we know how much goes into planning, preparing, and serving school meals, and we celebrate the contributions of every food services professional.”
NYC.gov: Mayor Adams, Chancellor Banks, No Kid Hungry NY Honor This Year’s “NYC Hunger Heroes”
March 14th, 2023
“‘No matter what challenges children may face at home, they can count on our Hunger Heroes to provide nutritious meals every school day – often going above and beyond to make sure New York City’s kids have a healthy foundation to learn,’ said Rachel Sabella, director, No Kid Hungry New York.”
PIX 11: Everybody loves Lana: NYC school cook at PS 40 honored as ‘Hunger Hero’
March 6th, 2023
“Lana has been named one of 35 “Hunger Heroes” by No Kid Hungry NY and the NYC Department of Education. This is the third year No Kid Hungry NY has honored cafeteria staff from New York City public schools for being at the frontlines of the battle against hunger, letting kids know that not all superheroes wear capes; they sometimes wear aprons.”
PIX 11: COVID-era SNAP benefits end in New York, 31 more states
March 1st, 2023
“Organizations like No Kid Hungry New York say that the rollback will negatively impact some families, particularly as high inflation fuels surging food costs.”
NBC 4 New York: Pandemic Emergency SNAP Benefits End
March 1st, 2023
“The Pandemic SNAP program helped keep 4.2 million Americans out of poverty.” – Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York
February 2023
News 12 The Bronx: Pandemic Emergency SNAP Benefits Set to End March 1
February 28th, 2023
“We also encourage people to get re-scanned for their benefits, if their rent went up and their income went down even a little bit, they may be eligible for a change in their benefits,” said Sabella. “We encourage them to… go to a community-based organization.”
WTEN: Opinion: Pandemic-era SNAP Benefits Ending by March
February 23rd, 2023
“The end of the SNAP emergency allotments will undoubtedly cause hardship for many at a time when inflation remains very high and families continue to struggle to make ends meet,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York.
Newsday: Two Pediatricians Win Grant to Detect Food Insecurity in Patients
February 6th, 2023
“When people want to address [hunger] in their lives, they talk about it with someone that they trust and pediatricians have that trust.”
ABC News 10: SNAP Skimming Prompts Response in Budget Proposal
February 2nd, 2023
“I commend Governor Hochul’s swift action to ensure New Yorkers who have been robbed of their SNAP benefits through “SNAP skimming” can be provided with much-needed relief through retroactive federal reimbursement of those stolen benefits,” said No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella. “I can’t imagine a theft much more sinister than stealing the dollars families receive to help put food on the table for their children, and I’m glad it’s being addressed federally and here in New York.”
LongIsland.com: No Kid Hungry Awards $20,000 to American Academy of Pediatrics to Combat Child Hunger on Long Island
February 1st, 2023
“There is no voice that families trust more than their pediatrician. We are so proud to be partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics here in New York to mobilize doctors in the fight against child hunger,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York.
December 2022
NYN: Opinion: Congress’ Last Chance to Feed Hungry Kids
December 13th, 2022
“Today, the pandemic may be waning, but the problems it revealed – like child hunger – are still very much a reality for thousands of New York families. In fact, earlier this year No Kid Hungry found that nearly two-thirds of New Yorkers are finding it harder to afford groceries for their families than before the pandemic, and 1 in 3 have been forced to skip a meal because they couldn’t afford food.”
City & State: The 2022 Responsible 100: New Yorkers Invested in Improving Our Communities
December 12th, 2022
“Over the last two and a half years, we have experienced tremendous loss and seen how the inequities in our society have harmed others. In order to make the world a better place for the next generation, we need to tap into our strengths and the strengths of our partners to make substantive change.” – Rachel Sabella
November 2022
PIX 11: Helping Food Insecure Families During the Holidays
November 29th, 2022
“Throughout the pandemic, public schools have been a place where families can go and pick up meals. Where kids have access to three meals a day. […] It’s a place where families can go and know there’s support available to help them through these challenging times” – Rachel Sabella
PIX 11: Thanksgiving Food Giveaway for Families in Washington Heights
November 2022
“No Kid Hungry and School in the Square teamed up for a special food pantry program where families could pick up turkeys and groceries. […] As many as 1 in 4 children in New York City experience food insecurity all the time. And that number is even higher in largely Black or Hispanic areas, like Washington Heights.”
The Patch: Major Thanksgiving Food Pantry Set For Multiple Wash Heights Schools
November 18th, 2022
“Earlier this year, No Kid Hungry awarded a $15,000 grant to Friends of School in the Square, which helps fund a pantry in Upper Manhattan for free groceries.
Since April 2020, the program has provided over 8,000 bags of essential goods, serving over 2,000 families and community members within the Washington Heights and Inwood areas.”
Amsterdam News: School in the Square Distribute Food to Hundreds of Families Ahead of Thanksgiving
November 17th, 2022
“Organizations like School in the Square that help put food on New Yorkers’ tables are so important–not just at holiday time, but year-round,” said Stephanie Wu Winter, Senior Program Manager for No Kid Hungry New York. “School in the Square has done amazing work responding not only to the needs of their school community, but to the needs of the broader community. They’re ensuring that kids across the neighborhood get the nutritious meals they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”
October 2022
Manhattan Times: School Cook Honored for 25 Years of Feeding Kids
October 13th, 2022
“When the kids get that lunch and they say thank you, and they’re excited to eat it, you get that joy inside,” said Baker. “You want to come back tomorrow and prepare them something else.”
ABC 7: New York City School Cafeteria Worker Honored for Decades of Service
October 13th, 2022
“Even if I take a day off, I’ll be thinking about, wonder if my kids eat today, if they get the proper meal,” Baker said. “It’s a lot going through the mind. So to make myself happy, I’m here. If I’m here they’re going to eat.”
AMNY: No Kid Hungry and DOE Celebrate National School Lunch Week
October 12th, 2022
“Kids couldn’t learn in class without cooks like Ms. Baker serving free, healthy lunches every single day,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York on Wednesday. “This National School Lunch Week, we’re honoring the everyday heroes across New York City public schools who provide the consistent nutrition kids need to learn, grow and achieve their dreams.”
The Hudson Independent: Letter: Thanks to Schools for Their School Lunch Programs
October 11th, 2022
“National School Lunch Week runs October 10-14, and all of us at No Kid Hungry New York want to thank the dedicated staff in Irvington schools and all those along the Hudson Valley who provide the consistent nutrition kids need to learn, grow and achieve their dreams.”
September 2022
The Hill: Ending Child Hunger in New York is Possible
September 25th, 2022
“Thanks to leadership on Capitol Hill and in the White House, we have the opportunity to end hunger by 2030.
Not just reduce it. Not just fight it. End it.”
Finger Lakes Times: Letter: Back-to-School To-Do List Should Include Applying for Free School Meals
September 16th, 2022
“Beyond ensuring your kids can get their school meals, the forms may qualify your family for additional benefits like discounted exam fees and college applications, extracurriculars, scholarship opportunities, and even home WiFi.”
August 2022
Lockport Journal: Mailbag: Add ‘Meal Applications’ to Your Child’s Back-to-School Check List
August 29th, 2022
“We know many kids struggle with hunger at home, and getting them a healthy breakfast and lunch ensures they can thrive in and out of the classroom. But because federal rules have switched back to the pre-pandemic status quo, families and caregivers in many districts will have to submit an application to qualify for free or reduced price meals.”
Auburn Citizen: Letter: School Meals Are Essential Resources
August 28th, 2022
“So as you’re checking things off your back to school to-do list, be sure to fill out the school meal application. After all, nutritious school meals are as important to students’ learning as notebooks and pencils.”
CBS New York: New York Families Will Need to Sign Up for Free School Meals This Fall
August 26th, 2022
“Hundreds of thousands of kids who depend on school meals will re-enter New York classrooms in a few short weeks, and we are deeply worried that families won’t learn about this new requirement until after school resumes,” No Kid Hungry New York Director Rachel Sabella said in a statement Thursday.
ABC News 10: Families Must Apply for Free or Reduced School Meals
August 25th, 2022
“For some families, they haven’t filled it out in a few years,” explained Sabella. “For other families, their circumstances may have changed because of the pandemic, and we want to make sure they know this benefit is available, but they have to be able to fill out the form in order to get it.”
AMNY: New York Families to Submit Applications for Free or Reduced-Price School Meals
August 25th, 2022
“We must make sure families fill out these applications for free or reduced-price meals ASAP so their children will not go hungry this September.”
AMNY: Adams Announces 6 Million Summer Meals Have Been Served to NYC Students
August 18th, 2022
“This year, No Kid Hungry New York and the NYC Department of Education has rolled out revamped mobile trucks to ensure that they can reach more kids and customers, especially as summer draws to a close.”
Pix 11: Order Up! Food Truck Dishes Out Free Meals to NYC Kids
August 17th, 2022
“Summer is the hungriest time of year for kids in New York, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York. “We’re proud to sponsor these mobile food trucks and partner with NYC DOE to reach more kids this summer.”
Spectrum Local News: No Kid Hungry Donating $55k to Keep Southern Tier Free Meal Program Running
August 1st, 2022
“What we saw is families, caregivers who lost their jobs, almost over night. We also found that maybe some of them went back to work but they found themselves underemployed, and what they can move in their budget, they can’t move rent, they can’t move electricity or transportation, but it’s the food budget they have been able to cut,” said Rachel Sabella, No Kid Hungry New York Director.
Harlem World Magazine: Mayor Adams and Chancellor Bank Announce Six Million Summer Meals Served From Harlem to Hollis
August 2022
“This year, No Kid Hungry New York and the NYC Department of Education rolled out revamped mobile food trucks this summer to reach more kids across the city with free summer meals. By bringing meals into the communities where kids live and play, the food trucks are making it easier for families to access free meals right in their neighborhoods, particularly critical in August when many summer meal sites have traditionally seen participation drop off.”
July 2022
Chalkbeat: Here’s How to Get Free Summer Meals at City Schools, Parks, and Pools
July 19th, 2022
“Summer is the hungriest time of year for kids in New York – but it doesn’t have to be,” Rachel Sabella, No Kid Hungry New York’s director, said in a statement. “Free summer meals are a lifeline to families and kids.”
Hudson Valley 360: No Kid Hungry Alerts Families Across the State: Free Summer Meals for Kids Are Just a Text Away
July 19th, 2022
Yonkers Times: No Kid Hungry Alerts Families Across NY State: Free Summer Meals Are Just a Text Away
July 18th, 2022
“Summer is the hungriest time of year for many kids. With 1 in 5 kids facing hunger across New York State, No Kid Hungry is alerting all families that free summer meals for kids are just a text away.”
LocalSYR.com: A Meal is Just a Text Away for New Yorkers in Need
July 18th, 2022
“No Kid Hungry New York, is urging parents and providers to take advantage of this resource as it will help families financially while also helping to feed children 18 and younger. No registration or documentations are required to receive a free meal.”
Chalkbeat: ‘Still hungry’: Struggling to feed NYC students as pandemic aid wanes
July 8th, 2022
“Despite people assuming that the pandemic is ending, we’ve been saying this all along, that the hunger crisis is going to be with us a long time,” said Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry.
Patch: No Kid Hungry Helps Fund 5 Summer Meal Program in the Hudson Valley
July 7th, 2022
“We value the school districts, frontline organizations and their staff providing these essential meals to support struggling families,” said Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York. “We’re proud to partner with these school districts and organizations and support their programs so that all New York kids are fueled to succeed. As we continue to see rising prices in all basic necessities, we have to rush more help so families aren’t facing hunger at home.”
June 2022
Star Gazette: Where Kids, Students Can Eat Free This Summer in Broome and Tioga Counties
June 29th, 2022
“Heading into this summer, No Kid Hungry, which Hudock said provides grants to help further district operations, awarded the Maine-Endwell Central School District over $4,000 to purchase food holding cabinets.”
The Daily News: Pioneer and Wyoming Central Schools Awarded Grants to Fight Child Hunger
June 29th, 2022
“No Kid Hungry knows the school districts play an essential role in getting food to children,” Miles said. “What they’ve done is create a flexible grant that allows our school district to respond to the needs coming out of COVID, including all the students going back to school full-time. So, they’re providing the money to allow us to provide different opportunities and make changes as we need to, so we can get meals to all the students, and whatever may come.”
The Daily Gazette: Schenectady, Mohonasen Schools Receive Grant Funding to Combat Food Insecurity
June 23rd, 2022
“We’re proud to partner with these school districts and organizations and support their programs so that all New York kids are fueled to succeed,” Rachel Sabella, director of No Kid Hungry New York, said in news release. “As we continue to see rising prices in all basic necessities, we have to rush more help so families aren’t facing hunger at home.”
Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Good Morning, Brooklyn: Thursday, June 23, 2022
June 23rd, 2022
Marketplace: Pandemic Rules for School Lunch Program Expiring
June 6th, 2022
“The anti-poverty group Share Our Strength estimates that 1 out of 5 summer meal sites open last year won’t be open this summer. That means “it could jeopardize access to summer meals for nearly 7 million children across the country,” according to Rachel Sabella, director of Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry New York program.”
The City: $375 in Food Benefits Per Child Are Coming to All NYC Public School Families
June 6th, 2022
“We refer to summer as the hungriest time of the year,” said Rachel Sabella, of No Kid Hungry New York, the New York division of a national campaign that aims to solve hunger in the United States. “For many families, they may not have a summer meals site close to them, where they can access those free meals. Some food pantries and soup kitchens that are normally open in the summer rely on volunteers. If the volunteers are not available, their services are not available.”