Lincoln Center Hosts Food Bank On UWS: Fresh Meat, Produce

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with Food Bank for New York City, is hosting a free mobile food bank Wednesday on the Upper West Side.

The event will start at 11:00 a.m. outside Lincoln Center, which is located at 62nd Street between Columbus and Amsterdam. The event will last until the food runs out.

There will be enough food for around 500 families, with fresh produce, shelf pantry items, and 20,000 pounds of meat donated by Tyson Foods.

The food will be completely free.

"With the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic putting many people out of work and rapidly increasing the need for assistance, the demand on the emergency food network has surged," Lincoln Center said in a press release. "Food Bank For New York City reports that the vast majority of soup kitchens and food pantries have been serving more New Yorkers during the pandemic than they were previously: many agencies have seen their number of visitors double."

The free food distribution at Lincoln Center aligns with a statewide day of action to push Congress to make additional investments in federal nutrition programs and invest in protections for low-income Americans in the next coronavirus relief bill.

The day for action is specifically calling for a 15 percent increase in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for families in need within the next COVID-19 stimulus package.

Here is more information about Wednesday's food bank:

• No ID or proof of need required
• The event will take place rain or shine
• Bring your own cart and mask
• Participants must wear masks and social distance at all times