NYC77Events had the privilege to cover
The New York Common Pantry Benefit
#FillTheBagBenefit
which took place on March 7th, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. This outstanding non-profit organization has been helping New Yorkers since 1980 when it was called “Yorkville Common Pantry”. Back then YCP was a small pantry helping 30 local families in the Yorkville area of Manhattan located in the Upper East Side from 79th Street to 96th Street. Over time YCP has grew stronger relying primarily on financial donations and individuals who donated their time and effort to make YCP a success. In 2013 it was renamed as New York Common Pantry and expanded with multiple meal distribution, meal delivery, and public benefits acquisitions help. NYCP has been a real hope for many New Yorkers who are in need of food from homeless individuals living on the streets to under privileges families, and without the help of this wonderful organization, hundreds of people will have nothing to eat every day. Recently the public program SNAP cut its emergency Covid19 help, leaving thousands of families worried about not having enough to eat.
During the fundraiser, NYCP raised close to $1M between generous donations, ticket sales, and a live auction, to fight food insecurity. Before Covid19, the population of homeless people was already devastating and critical having nothing or very limited meals to eat, a low income families, and single individuals were in fact struggling to put food on their tables. Covid19 was announced and thousands of people lost their jobs as well as their homes. Nobody was prepared to face this crisis which many still face. NYCP is committed to providing food, meals, assistance, and more. During the gala, The New York City Football Club received the “Distinguished Partner Award” for their generous contributions to continue NYCP's labor of Love
(See images below).
The Estée Lauder Companies Distinguished Volunteer Award went to “The Saturday Regulars,” the Remarkable group of Bighearted individuals who have been volunteering since 2014 providing meals, assistance, and helping around the pantry with love and care (see picture below), led by Fiona Cousins who on behalf of her fellow volunteers gave a great speech from her heart expressed how rewarding it is to help others.
The gala started with a cocktail hour and finger food followed by a seated dinner at the grand salon. The MC & Host for the evening was NBC's Sunday Today With Willie Geist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Geist).
Speeches were given by Stephen Grimaldi, NYCP Executive Director, and Sara Moss Vice Chairwoman of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc.
To make it an even more pleasant and enjoyable the evening NYCP invited
Charles Antin,
a professional auctioneer to conduct the live auction. As the evening almost finished attendees had the pleasure to try delicious desserts and coffee. Every guest went home with a nice gift bag with Estee Lauder products.
NYC77Events wants to congratulate all the honorees, and encourage them to keep up the good work!
The New York City Football Club received the New York Common
Pantry’s “Distinguished Partner Award.”
(from L to R)
Brad Sims, New York City Football Club CEO,
Midfielder Alfredo Morales, Defender Maxime Chanot
Elaine Clark NYCP Board Chair,
Willie Geist, event MC and host of NBC’s Sunday TODAY, and Stephen Grimaldi, NYCP Executive Director.
Photo credit: James Poster Studio
The Estée Lauder Companies “Distinguished Volunteer Award”
was presented to the “Saturday Regulars,” a dedicated group of volunteers who started working
with the Pantry around 2014.
(From L to R)
Bryan Ngo, Darlene Lee, Lydell Tyson,
Monica Rounds, Fiona Cousins, Stephen Grimaldi, NYCP Executive Director, Sara Moss, Vice
Chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Nola Magno, Toby Greenfield, Elaine Clark,
NYCP Board Chair, and Willie Geist, event MC and host of NBC’s Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist,
Photo credit: James Poster Studio
