North Haven-Based Foundation Expands Into Yale Children’s PCIU With $25K Gift

From Feeding Families Foundation, Inc.

NORTH HAVEN, CT — North Haven-based Feeding Families Foundation, Inc., (Foundation) a nonprofit working to eliminate hospital food insecurity for the parents of hospitalized children suffering from critical illnesses, recently announced the expansion of its Parent Plate Program into the Pediatric Intensive Care and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Units at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH), and commemorates over 2,000 meals provided through its existing program to the families on the YNHCH Pediatric Hematology/Oncology unit.

These announcements were recently celebrated at the first Strength in Numbers Fashion Show held at District NHV, where the Foundation donated $25,000 to YNHCH to continue its Parent Plate Program, and fund its expansion into the Pediatric Intensive Care and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Units, ensuring that even more parents can remain nourished and close to their critically ill children without additional financial stress.

“The Parent Plate Program helps to alleviate some of the significant parental stress and strain of having a child in the hospital,” said Matthew Bizzarrro, MD, chief medical officer, YNHCH. “We at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital are extremely grateful for our partnership with Feeding Families Foundation and are excited about the ability to expand this impactful program to two additional pediatric units.”

The Foundation partnered with Michael Pollack, the Founder of the New Haven Pizza Club, to organize the first Strength in Numbers Fashion Show on June 7, raising awareness and funding through art, fashion and culture. The event hosted keynote speaker Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who emphasized the importance of supporting the holistic well-being of families navigating pediatric illness.

The event also brought together members of the community, healthcare professionals, and supporters of the Foundation for an evening of inspiration and style.

The Strength in Numbers Fashion Show was generously supported by sponsors including The State of Connecticut, YNHCH, Modern Apizza, New Haven Pizza Club, Campus Customs, Tweed Airport, District NHV, Pepe’s Pizza and AT & T. Guests enjoyed a unique experience curated by Pollack, featuring an exclusive pizza-inspired runway collection by internationally celebrated fashion designer, Justin Haynes (JUS10H). The Show demonstrated the power of collaboration and creativity in addressing urgent social needs.

“When our daughter was diagnosed with leukemia just after her second birthday, we were thrown into a world of uncertainty,” said Jeff Dorman, co-Founder and chair of Feeding Families Foundation. “What we quickly realized – and what many don’t know – is that while sick children receive meals during hospital stays, their caregivers do not. In those moments of fear and exhaustion, something as simple as a warm breakfast could have made a big difference. That realization became the spark for the Feeding Families Foundation. We’re incredibly grateful to Michael Pollack of New Haven Pizza Club for his unwavering support, vision, and energy. The Strength in Numbers Fashion Show was not just a stunning event – it was a powerful statement of community, compassion, and belief in our mission. From the food and drinks to the swag bags and décor, every detail was thoughtfully curated by Michael. The energy in the room – with 300 people coming together in support of Feeding Families Foundation – made for an unforgettable evening that brought our community together and raised critical awareness for the families we serve.”

Pollack said: “On June 7th – exactly one year to the day from when I first connected with Feeding Families Foundation – a prophecy came to life: uniting people through pizza by weaving together culture, art and philanthropy. Filling a room with over 300 diverse industry leaders, community pillars, and visionaries for one extraordinary cause was more than just a dream fulfilled; it was living proof that love and pizza, when brought together with authenticity, have the power to move people and build real, lasting change.”

Other commentary and feedback regarding the Foundation and the Strength in Numbers Fashion Show:

- Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said of the event: “Walking this one-of-a-kind fashion show was an experience I’ll never forget! I was glad to see New Haven come together to support the Feeding Families Foundation and celebrate our shared culture as the Pizza Capital of the nation. The amazing partnership and dedication of Michael Pollack of the New Haven Pizza Club, and fashion designer Justin Haynes, made this event a huge success. What fun!”

- David Salinas, the owner of District NHV commented: “This fashion show was super well executed and showed progress and possibilities on full display. It’s incredible to see the District vision come to life and further cemented as a cultural destination for the region and city of New Haven.”

- Tom Cavaliere, director of Community Engagement, Tweed New Haven Airport said “Michael Pollack doesn’t just tell you about art – he shows you what it can do. Strength in Numbers flawlessly illustrated how art, culture and place can come together as one. Alongside his installation at Tweed New Haven Airport, Pollack continues to transform everyday spaces into bold expressions of local identity and creativity, all in celebration of our most beloved New Haven tradition: apizza.”

Feeding Families Foundation’s Parent Plate Program, which began in early 2024, provides two meals per day delivered to the room to the parent or caregiver staying with their child on the pediatric hematology/oncology floor at YNHCH. The program was designed for efficiency and, in collaboration with hospital food services, parents can order a meal for themselves when placing an order for their child. No application or financial screening required. The goal is simple: feed caregivers, alleviate stress, and allow parents to focus on what matters most – being present for their child. The Program is funded by the Foundation through a restricted fund the Foundation established at Yale New Haven Health. The Foundation donates to the hospital and directs the funds to the restricted fund for its programs. To date, over 2,000 meals have been provided to parents and caregivers staying with their critically ill child at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

For more information, please visit www.feedingfamiliesfoundation.org.