NY-Based Chobani Helps To Feed Ida Flood Victims In Mamaroneck

MAMARONECK, NY — The eyes of the nation have largely moved past the historic flooding in the region, but neighbors in Mamaroneck are still suffering — today, a New York-based company stepped up to help.

Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball joined representatives from Chobani and the Center for Refugees in Utica on Wednesday to help load a trailer that will be delivering relief to Mamaroneck and to encourage other New York businesses to assist where possible.

"New Yorkers always step up to help our neighbors during times of need, as the past year-and-a-half has proven time and again," Ball said. "I thank Chobani for leading the way today in donating healthy, delicious New York dairy products to families in need, and I encourage others to follow Chobani's lead."

Chobani is helping families affected by Hurricane Ida and evacuees from Afghanistan housed on U.S. military bases, by donating and delivering nearly 300,000 products, including yogurt, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The governor said the food company will be, in the wake of Hurricane Ida, dispatching trucks full of food from the company's upstate New York plant to the New York City area, Louisiana and New Jersey.

"New York is a beacon of hope to people across the world, and Chobani's donation today highlights our generosity and spirit that are admired worldwide," Hochul said. "I encourage all businesses and New Yorkers who wish to help to follow Chobani's lead and donate what they can spare to help support those who were in the path of Ida and evacuees from Afghanistan as they recover and resettle."

On Thursday, in Mamaroneck, Chobani will be on hand to help feed 300 people who were affected by Ida.

In addition, in partnership with the USO, Chobani is sending a truckload of nearly 100,000 cups of dairy products, including from its plant in Central New York, to Fort Lee in Virginia and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, where Afghan evacuees are being housed and supported by US service members.

Chobani's mission is to make good food for all, while elevating communities and making the world a healthier place. It has a long history of supporting communities in need, including donating more than 8.5 million products coast-to-coast during the pandemic - and participating in the state's milk buy-back program, Nourish New York. They also participate in programs such as Holiday Meals for Military and have created a special limited-time PB&J Food Bank Batch of yogurt, donating 100 percent of the profits to Feeding America food banks to support child-focused programs.

"We've seen an incredible series of crises over the past three weeks - both natural and humanitarian, both domestic and global," Chobani Founder Hamdi Ulukaya said. "As a food company, we know the value of nutritious food during a time of such great need and loss. There's still so much healing and rebuilding and resettling to do, we all need to our part, as a company and state, to open our arms and hearts to ensure people are fed and cared for."

The Larchmont Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force and local residents in need are already benefiting from the donation.

The Latusion food truck serving hot meals provided by Larchmont Mamaroneck Hunger Task Force and Chobani yogurt distribution for flood victims will be at the food distribution tent in Columbus Park on Thursday, September 16, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Patch has teamed with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.