Feeding Westchester is doubling every dollar donated in September, up to $100,000, as the Elmsford-based food bank rallies Westchester County residents around a month of hunger-relief events.
One lands in Scarsdale. The Giving Circle of Lower Westchester is presenting Comics for a Cause on Thursday, Sept. 24, at Westchester Reform Temple.
The comedy benefit returns for its second year. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets include a buffet dinner and open bar, with proceeds going to Feeding Westchester.
The $100,000 match is powered by longtime supporter Debbie Newman Bernstein, who is matching donations up to $50,000 during Hunger Action Month, according to the campaign's announcement. Feeding Westchester works with 175 partners across the county.
Feeding Westchester President and CEO Kristine Borok said in an Aug. 18 interview with Daily Voice that 41 percent of Westchester households struggle to afford food and other basic necessities, often despite working full-time jobs, citing the most recent ALICE Report.
Borok said the September campaign, organized under Feeding America's national "Assembly Required" theme, aims to bring families, organizations and businesses together to address hunger locally.
A county-wide food drive runs Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Tuesday, Sept. 29, in partnership with Westchester County.
Drop-off locations and most-needed items are listed on Feeding Westchester's website.
County Executive Ken Jenkins is scheduled to issue a proclamation recognizing Sept. 29 as Hunger Action Day in Westchester County. That same day, Feeding Westchester will host a Food As Medicine Expert Panel, sponsored by White Plains Hospital, with panelists from Northwell Health, Westchester Community Health Center and Feeding Westchester.
On Thursday, Sept. 10, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will be lit orange for Hunger Action Month. On Friday, Sept. 11, Volunteer New York! and Monroe University are partnering with 250 volunteers in New Rochelle to pack 50,000 meals as part of a 9/11 Serve + Remember event.
Participating Westchester restaurants and retailers will donate a portion of sales throughout the month. A full list is available on Feeding Westchester's website.
Upcoming Hunger Action Month events
- Tuesday, Sept. 1 – Tuesday, Sept. 29: County-wide food drive
- Thursday, Sept. 10: Cuomo Bridge lit orange
- Friday, Sept. 11: 9/11 Serve + Remember meal-packing event, New Rochelle
- Thursday, Sept. 24: Comics for a Cause, Westchester Reform Temple, Scarsdale; doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 29: Hunger Action Day proclamation; Food As Medicine Expert Panel
