Our Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

As an essential service, the New York GO continues to do the day-in and day-out job of making sure vulnerable neighbors get the food they need. We are putting various solutions in place, to be able to continue providing food to help our community prepare for whatever challenges the Coronavirus (COVID-19) presents.

As the COVID-19 situation intensifies daily, we are facing an unprecedented challenge to support our neighbors who are currently food insecure as well as actively preparing to support those who may now be facing hunger as a result of lost hours, wages, or jobs.

Our city’s “new normal” of social distancing, shuttered businesses, lost wages, and closed schools has led to thousands more New Yorkers facing hunger. Low-income New Yorkers, families with school-aged children, and seniors at high-risk of infection are among those we see struggling most. According to a poll recently published by The New York Times, half of New York City residents are concerned about how they will afford food as this crisis continues. Amid this new reality, the number of people turning to our emergency food network has increased by 50%.

OUR RESPONSE

Home-delivering to the most vulnerable

Low-income seniors are often the most vulnerable to food insecurity, and now they are facing even more challenges given they are also the most vulnerable to COVID-19. Many of our senior participants are sheltering in place or no longer have access to their weekly pantries, and we are looking for support from the community to help us ramp up our home-delivery program and provide groceries to homebound seniors and most vulnerable families in Washington Heights and Inwood.

Focusing on safety

The health, safety, and well-being of our employees, volunteers, partners, and participants is a top priority. By following all health guidelines, cleaning, and practicing social distancing, our goal is to maintain safe practices that will reduce the risk of virus transmission while avoiding the disruption of this essential service for the community. We are closely monitoring the situation and reevaluating our safety protocols daily.