WHO: Food Bank Board Member, Gloria Pitagorsky, Henri Bendel Creative Director Pina Ferlisi, Therese Lundqvist Host Committee Chair & Co-Founder of the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation, Kelly Bensimon, Katie Lee, Laura Gomez (Orange is the New Black) and Television Personality Erin Andrews.

WHAT: Iconic fashion accessories retailer Henri Bendel will host a Shop to Stop Hunger event at its 5th Avenue flagship location in support of Food Bank For New York City. Now in its 10th year, Food Bank’s Go Orange to End Hunger™ campaign (#GoOrangeNYC) calls on all New Yorkers to take action in support of the 1.4 million New Yorkers who rely on soup kitchens and food pantries each year. Guests will enjoy special treats generously provided by Sprinkles Cupcakes, jcoco chocolate, and Lavazza. 10% of proceeds from the event will benefit Food Bank For New York City.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 2015
6:00 – 8:00 PM

WHERE: Henri Bendel, 712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street

BACKGROUND:
During the past year, the Food Bank For New York City has seen the need for emergency food in our city increase while the resources required to combat hunger and poverty have decreased. The number of meals that vulnerable New Yorkers are missing due to lack of sufficient resources tops a staggering 241 million, representing an enormous Meal Gap. The Meal Gap, adapted as the City’s official measure of food insecurity, has now been geographically mapped to reveal where hunger lives – enabling Food Bank to allocate resources to areas with the highest need across New York City. Go Orange to End Hunger™ encourages all New Yorkers to take action and assist Food Bank in meeting those needs.

About Food Bank For New York City:
Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years. Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on Food Bank for food and other resources. Food Bank takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 63 million free meals for New Yorkers in need. Food Bank For New York City’s income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $100 million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence. In addition, Food Bank’s nutrition education programs and services empower more than 275,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget. To learn more about how you can help, please visit foodbanknyc.org. Follow us on Facebook (FoodBank4NYC), Twitter (@FoodBank4NYC) and Instagram (FoodBank4NYC). To donate, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/donate. To become a partner, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/partner. To volunteer, visit volunteer.foodbanknyc.org. To advocate, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/advocate. To host a Virtual Food Drive, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/vfd. To receive Food Bank For New York City’s CEO E-Newsletter, visit www.foodbanknyc.org/email.

About Henri Bendel:
Henri Bendel, the legendary Fifth Avenue retailer, represents the very best of The New & The Next in fashion accessories. Founded in 1895, the brand is known for its iconic brown & white striped shopping bags and it’s Bendel girl illustrations. With 29 stores nationwide and headquarters in Manhattan, the accessories brand continues to be inspired by the energy and spirit of the city of New York. Visit the ultimate girl’s playground at www.HenriBendel.com