Congressman Dan Goldman Presents $581,000 Grant Award to UA3
Goldman Secured $9,036,948 for Projects in NY-10 in FY 2024 Appropriations
Funding Will Be Used to Expand Food Storage Capacity Using Both Dry and Cold Storage Units
Photos and Video from the Award Presentation Here
New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today presented the UA3 Food Bank Network with a $581,000 Community Project Funding Grant Award, which was included in the final passage of HR 4366, ‘The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.’ Goldman secured $9,036,948 for community projects in NY-10 in the FY 2024 appropriations process.
The award will be used to expand UA3’s food storage capacity with dry and cold storage units. The funds will also provide for an electric delivery vehicle to preserve and store nutritious foods while streamlining and improving energy-efficient food distribution to low-income residents across New York City. UA3’s cold storage facility would be the first of its kind in Manhattan.
“I am incredibly proud to have secured $581,000 for UA3 to continue their great work to combat food insecurity across New York,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “From the Lower East Side and Chinatown to Sunset Park, UA3 is working to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to high-quality, fresh meals. This grant will be critical to not just helping them keep their fantastic work going but expanding their ability to support more New Yorkers.”
Don Hong, President of UA3 said, “UA3 and its Community First Food Pantry is deeply grateful to Congressman Dan Goldman's significant $581,000 Award that testifies to Representative Goldman's concern forthose who experience food insecurity. His proactive support for the electric, refrigerated delivery truck will have a hugely beneficial impact on The City's underserved populations and on its environment. This specialized vehicle, in addition to the dry and cold storage units will allow UA3 to expand its services of hunger relief to our wide network of partnerships by becoming a true food bank, fostering resilience and equity within New York City's diverse communities. UA3 cannot be more thankful as our dream of becoming a Food Bank is realized.”
Founded in 2015, UA3 has made great strides in serving disadvantaged students, adults, and nonprofits throughout New York City and has witnessed first-hand the rise in food insecurity. This increase is felt especially hard for organizations like UA3 that serve new migrants and traditionally underserved communities.
The UA3 Food Bank Network includes a partnership of 130 community-based organizations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens and has experienced a marked increase in demand for fresh produce and groceries. Among those served are: Grand Street Guild, NYCHA Rutgers Houses, NYCHA Smith Houses, NYCHA Jacob Riis Houses, Borough of Manhattan Community College, NYCHA LES Infill 1, NYCHA LES Group 5, NYCHA Baruch Houses, Grand Street Settlement, the United Chinese Association, the Parent-Child Relationship Association, and the Tai Shan Du Hu Association of America.
The Poverty Tracker report shows that food pantry use among low-income non-citizen New Yorkers nearly doubled, from 17 percent to 30 percent, compared to an increase from 18 percent to 20 percent among low-income citizens. And according to Robin Hood community partner City Harvest, in the first half of 2022, New Yorkers visited food pantries and soup kitchens 3.5 million times per month on average — that’s up 69 percent from the first half of 2019. Food banks and pantries operated by emergency food partners throughout the five boroughs are feeling the strain, with many reporting significant increases in visits from non-citizen individuals and families.
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