Grubhub Donated 500 Meals for the Event In Support of Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
(Long Island City, Queens, N.Y.)— On Thursday, November 9, the Institute for Community Living (ICL) hosted a housing and employment fair at its Borden Avenue Veterans Residence in Long Island City—New York City’s only shelter exclusively serving veterans experiencing homelessness. Grubhub’s Serving the City program donated 500 meals from veteran-owned restaurant O’Neills to serve at the event.
The housing and employment fair is part of ICL’s Veterans Empowerment Week, which leads up to Veterans Day. The week’s events featured daily programs designed to support residents to lead healthier lives. Residents who participated in the fair received information about vital resources, including opportunities to secure livable wage employment and housing tailored to their specific needs.
The New York City shelter census is higher than it has been in decades, and according to a recent report, 13% of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness are veterans. Many of the residents of ICL’s shelter have seen combat and are living with significant trauma. While shelter offers temporary relief, ICL recognizes the importance of housing as health care. Notably, the organization successfully transitioned 100 veterans out of its veterans residence and into permanent housing last year, marking a significant milestone in their journey to stability.
“At ICL, we provide whole health care, which includes ensuring our veterans shelter residents have access to nourishing food, mental health support, and the opportunity to secure stable housing and employment,” said Jody Rudin, President and CEO of ICL. “We are grateful to partner with Grubhub and O’Neills for their generous donation during our Empowerment Week to honor those who have bravely served our country. And we thank our partners in city government, including the Department of Social Services, Department of Veterans’ Services, Council Member Robert Holden, Chairman of the New York City Council’s Committee on Veterans, and Council Member Julie Won, for their constant support of our work with veterans.”
This donation is part of Grubhub’s Serving the City program, which has provided over 75,000 meals to veterans, seniors, housing authority residents, and other community-based organizations from local, independent restaurants.
“For the second year, Grubhub is proud to stand with our veterans during Appreciation Week and support such empowering organizations like the Institute for Community Living,” said Brett Swanson, Head of Community Affairs at Grubhub. “Partnering with local, independent, veteran-owned restaurant O’Neills, we are honored to provide and share a meal with our veterans on this special day.”
Residents who took part in the fair had the opportunity to engage with representatives from partner organizations, including HELP USA, Black Vets for Social Justice, Samaritan Village, S:US, Jericho Project, and Volunteers of America.
For more information about ICL, click here. For more information about Grubhub’s “Serving the City” program, please click here.
