Al Sharpton's Advocacy Group To Distribute Meals In Harlem

HARLEM, NY — Al Sharpton's Harlem-based advocacy organization, the National Action Network, is partnering with humanitarian groups to distribute thousands of meals to healthcare workers and people in need, the group announced this week.

The National Action Network is teaming up with international organization CARE to launch the humanitarian group's first-ever domestic relief project. The partnership will result in 175,000 "CARE packages" — consisting of nutritious meals — being delivered to residents of Harlem and the Bronx. CARE has been distributing its "CARE packages" since 1945, when the organization was founded to feed survivors of World War II.

"As the world fights this disease, this partnership will truly make a difference for so many residents in Harlem and the Bronx," Sharpton said in a statement. "These CARE Packages represent compassion and solidarity for those who lack access to healthy meals and are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19."

A gift from the Hutchins Family Foundation, the charitable foundation of hedge fund founder Glenn Hutchins — who also chairs CARE's board of directors — will fund the partnership. CARE also plans to distribute meals to locations in the United States with the help of organizations such as American Nurses Association, National Association of Health CARE Assistants and Operation Gratitude through similar partnerships in the coming months.

"The COVID-19 pandemic knows no borders – and neither does CARE’s work. Now, we are unveiling a new CARE Package, specially built to help solve the problems we are facing at home and overseas," Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE, said in a statement.