https://www.glwd.org/blog/40-million-meals-and-40-million-reasons-to-be-grateful/

12.9.24
/ Community

40 Million Meals and 40 Million Reasons to be Grateful

Dear Community,

I am thrilled and honored to share that today we celebrated cooking, packaging, and delivering our 40 millionth meal! We were joined by actor/artist Liev Schreiber, Board members Melba Wilson, Nicky Hilton, and William Li, Councilmembers Carlina Rivera and Erik Bottcher, Board of Trustees members James Palazza, Cindy Secunda, and Sylvia Vogelman, staff and volunteers.

This is an astonishing achievement, not just because 40 million is a lot of meals, but because every single one has been individually tailored to the clients’ needs, and home-delivered.

Staff with 40 millionth meal

What did it take to get us here? In 1985 we delivered our first meal. Ten years later, in 1995, we delivered our one millionth meal. Fourteen years after that we delivered our 10 millionth in 2009. We delivered our 20 millionth in 2017 and our 30 millionth in 2022. Now, less than three years later we’re delivering our 40 millionth!

President & CEO David Ludwigson, Board members Nicky Hilton and Melba Wilson, and Liev Schreiber

Being sick and hungry is a crisis that demands an urgent response, and nothing stops us from delivering. Through rain, snow, COVID, and more, God’s Love always delivers. New York City has always been able to count on us because, thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community, we are always there to deliver to our clients.

I thank each and every single person who has helped us reach this historic moment.

Executive team members with Liev Schreiber, Board members William Li, Nicky Hilton, and Melba Wilson, and Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Carlina Rivera

Watch the Celebration on NY1

As we celebrate this momentous 40 millionth meal, we do so during our biggest year yet! This year we will cook and home-deliver more than 5 million meals to more than 17,000 New Yorkers. We continue to grow and innovate to meet the ever-changing needs of the people we serve. We’ve expanded our service to include those living with sickle cell disease. We care for our Veterans living with PTSD, mental health issues and substance use disorder. Our Healthy Starts program provides for pregnant and post-partum New Yorkers.

No matter who or where you are in NYC, if you’re sick and hungry, God’s Love We Deliver will be there for you.

Councilmember Carlina Rivera, President & CEO David Ludwigson and Special guests

After the packing out of our 40 millionth meal, Councilmember Carlina Rivera presented God’s Love We Deliver with a Proclamation from the New York City Council honoring the momentous occasion.

My gratitude and deepest thanks go to our extraordinary staff, volunteers, and donors, and to Liev, Nicky, and Melba. With God’s Love, our clients know they are not alone. They have all of us. Together, we are saving lives and bringing food and nutrition security, dignity and so much love to thousands of people at the hardest times they have ever faced.

Congratulations, everyone! And thank you.

With endless gratitude,

David

 

Related Blog Posts

+ View all community posts

10.2.17 / Community

20 Million Meals!

On Thursday, September 28, God's Love marked an important milestone as we cooked, packed and delivered our 20 millionth meal.We are so proud of this achievement. A lot has changed since that day, 32 years ago, when one woman …