New York, the city that never sleeps, has gone silent. As we transition to remote learning and working, we are struck with the inequalities being both created and deepened by COVID-19. NYU is a university not only in the city, but of the city. It is our responsibility and privilege to answer the call in one of New York’s greatest times of need.

Over the past few months, we have leveraged NYU’s faculty, resources, and expertise to provide COVID research, online training, protective gear, Telehealth services, and housing for medical staff on the frontlines. On Friday, April 3,  NYU Dining Services and Chartwells Higher Education dining donated nearly 1,300 pounds of food to City Harvest. These donations, made in conjunction with York Street Market, included both grocery items and ready-to-eat meals. City Harvest is a non-profit organization that has been fighting food Insecurity in New York City since 1982. “Donations like these have already helped by feeding over 600 New Yorkers in March – and many more to come as we continue to stand together to combat food waste and food insecurity,” said Monalisa Prasad, director of sustainability, NYUEATS.

Food insecurity is one of the most immediate and pressing issues being created by this pandemic. In 2020 alone, NYU Dining has given over 5,600 pounds of food to New Yorkers in need, and it is our hope that these donations will help to support people in NYC and around the world struggling during this pandemic. The compassion and strength of the NYU community during these unprecedented times has been inspiring. We will get through this together. 

Learn more about this initiative and the other ways NYU is responding to COVID-19.