NYC Healthcare Heroes, a city-wide philanthropic program supporting front line workers has expanded its deliveries of care packages of essential groceries to emergency medical services (EMS) and disaster services workers.
Healthcare Heroes was launched in April with a $20 million commitment ($10 million initial donation and $10 million in matching funds) from philanthropists Debra and Leon Black and their family and in partnership with Aramark, the world’s largest U.S.-based producer of food, facilities and uniforms.
So far, it has delivered nearly 125,000 packages of shelf stable food, household cleaning and personal care products, as well as over-the-counter medicine, to hospital workers on the front lines.
The program will allow for up to 500,000 bags of shelf stable food, cleaning products and personal care products to be delivered to staff at hospitals across the five boroughs through the end of June. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, Robin Hood, New York’s largest poverty-fighting organization and the Red Cross are also involved.
“The members of the FDNY have truly shown they are among New York City’s health care heroes through their brave service to New Yorkers throughout this pandemic,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. “This has been the busiest period in the history of EMS and our men and women have shown their incredible resilience and courage every single day.
“We sincerely thank Debra and Leon Black and Aramark for their generosity in helping provide food and supplies for our members. We also thank their partners at the American Red Cross, Robin Hood, New York City Emergency Management Department (OEM) and the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.”
The program has provided and will be providing packages to both hospitals and EMS stations in the Bronx, including North Central Bronx Hospital, Jacobi Hospital, Lincoln Hospital, St. Barnabas Hospital, Bronx Division 2 EMS and Bronx Public Safety Answering Center (PSAC) 2.
“We launched NYC Healthcare Heroes to help support workers on the front lines who are making countless sacrifices,” Debra and Leon Black said. “EMS and disaster services workers have been working tirelessly combating this pandemic and we’re pleased to expand the program to recognize them for their tremendous work and give them this much needed relief.”
