NEW YORK CITY (February 25, 2021) — UJA-Federation of New York today announced $2.77 million in supplemental funds for emergency food relief to help New Yorkers. To date, with this latest grant, UJA has allocated nearly $67 million in a combination of grants and interest-free loans to help respond to the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This funding is necessary now because emergency funds for food allocated by government at the beginning of the pandemic have largely been depleted, and the number of food insecure New Yorkers continues to grow at an alarming rate,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York. “We urge government at all levels to include additional emergency aid in their budgets to address this growing crisis.”

This latest round of UJA emergency funding is being allocated as follows:

Food distribution in New York City: $2,170,000 

UJA is allocating $2.17 million to The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, UJA’s primary partner in feeding the hungry, for (a) procurement and distribution of food that will be distributed through Met Council’s expansive food pantry network ($2 million), and (b) for home-delivered meals to Holocaust survivors ($170,000).

Food distribution on Long Island: $300,000 

UJA partners The Marion and Aaron Gural JCC, Mid-Island Y JCC, and Suffolk Y JCC are experiencing a dramatic rise in the need for food — in some areas as high as a 200% increase in demand for assistance. $300,000 will provide food for approximately 750 families per month for six months. 

Funding for system infrastructure improvements in food procurement and distribution: $300,000

The pandemic has shown the urgent need for key organizations in the hunger space to come together to develop and implement critical new systems to more effectively feed food-insecure New Yorkers. This funding will be used, in collaboration with other funders in the space, to improve the city’s current food distribution system.

About UJA-Federation of New York 

Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 4.5 million people each year. To date, UJA has allocated nearly $67 million to help respond to the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Aid has supported New Yorkers facing food insecurity, UJA partner organizations providing essential health and human services to New Yorkers, Jewish Community Centers, low-income students, single parents, and ensuring dignified Jewish burials. For more information, please visit www.ujafedny.org.