The Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have partnered up to develop The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty Food Pantry provided by HSS to assist address food insecurity in Brooklyn. The food pantry will be located at P.S. 12 and M.S. 484 in the Ocean Hill Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn – an area where, according to NYC Food Policy, 32 percent of residents face food insecurity – and will be stocked with non-perishable food and household items, as well as the necessary support to distribute free groceries and meals on-site.
P.S. 12 and M.S. 484 are both Title 1 schools that serve a large number of low-income students. The Nets, Liberty, and HSS will also collaborate with the Food Bank to hold monthly fit clinics where students will learn about nutrition, sports performance, and sports safety.
Food pantry distributions will take place multiple times per month, according to a schedule set by school management, and patrons will be able to choose free meals, groceries, and household products to fulfill their specific needs.
“We remain committed to serving our community by addressing issues impacting Brooklynites, including the crisis of food insecurity,” said John Abbamondi, CEO of BSE Global, parent company of the Nets and Barclays Center. “No one should ever go to school or work hungry, and we are proud to work alongside the Liberty and HSS to do our part in providing hunger relief in Ocean Hill Brownsville – an area where food insecurity disproportionately impacts our neighbors.”
“As members of the Brooklyn community, we feel a responsibility to help ensure that all residents have access to their basic needs, including food,” said New York Liberty CEO Keia Clarke. “We know that food insecurity disproportionality affects BIPOC and low-income families for a myriad of reasons. In partnership with the Nets and HSS, the Liberty hope to play a small part in alleviating a big issue.”
“We recognize food insecurity is significantly impacting Ocean Hill Brownsville residents, now more than ever due to the lingering pandemic,” said Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO at HSS. “Teaming up with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty to unveil the food pantry is an incredible opportunity for us to support our neighbors in Brooklyn, and ultimately help close the Meal Gap in our community. At HSS, we are committed to helping people get back to what they love and need to do better than any other place in the world, and we are also committed to partnering with likeminded organizations who aim to help others.”
“Food Bank is committed to assist with programs across New York City that not only feed our youth in need and their families, but also educates them on nutrition and wellness so they can build a stronger future,” said Food Bank For New York City President and CEO Leslie Gordon. “We’re committed to nourishing our neighbors across the city, and are incredibly proud to partner with the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) on this initiative serving the Ocean Hill community in Brooklyn.”
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Abbamondi, Clark, Shapiro, Zac Hall, Senior Vice President of Programs at Food Bank for NYC, Principal Luard of M.S. 484, and Principal Watson of P.S. 12, the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty Food Pantry presented by HSS officially opened on Tuesday, March 1. In attendance were Nets legend Albert King, Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant, and students from both schools, who worked together to load bags of food from the pantry.
The Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty Foundation, as well as HSS, initiated a contribution campaign with Food Bank for New York City ahead of the food pantry’s debut, which will continue until the end of the current school year in June. Up to $20,000 will be matched for every dollar donated to the Food Bank for New York City. Visit the following website for additional information: www.brooklynnets.com/pantry.
