ELMSFORD, NY (October 22, 2025)
More than 1 in 3 children in Westchester are at risk of hunger, and that number is growing as costs rise and relief programs like SNAP are cut. In one of the wealthiest counties in the country, we can — and must — do better. Our children deserve enough food to grow, learn, and thrive. They deserve to be healthy, alert, and able to concentrate in school. We must give every child their best chance to succeed.
This was the premise for a panel discussion held at Feeding Westchester on September 30, the culmination of the food bank’s efforts spanning Hunger Action Month. The panel of experts featured:
- Danielle DeMaio, Feeding Westchester Board Member (Moderator)
- Allison Fasano, Teacher, Port Chester Middle School
- Krista Hesdorfer, MPA, Advocate, Hunger Solutions New York
- Emily Koelsch, MD, Pediatrician, Child Care Council of Westchester
- Monique Marshall, MS, RDN, CD-N, Registered Dietitian, Feeding Westchester
- Melissa Rodriguez, Principal, Enrico Fermi School
Additional information on the panelists is attached.
Two high quality videos from the event are available for media use and public viewing
(links on following page):
HIGHLIGHT (00:01:58): https://youtu.be/KdvjitWnDe0?si=IMk53LJN0vYNY0r5
FULL EVENT REPLAY (01:12:00): https://youtu.be/4qDTfmnEja4
Panelist Information
| Danielle DeMaio, Moderator Feeding Westchester Board Member Danielle, a Westchester native and Edgemont resident with two children, devotes much of her time to community service, including serving on the boards of Feeding Westchester and Impact100 Westchester. With a background in management consulting and investment banking, Danielle’s philanthropic passion started with mentoring at-risk youth and continues through leadership roles in organizations supporting children and families. | |
| Allison Fasano Teacher | Port Chester Middle School Allison has taught Family & Consumer Sciences in the Port Chester School District for 19 years, weaving food justice, wellness, and community service into her curriculum. She leads the school pantry and Giving Garden, creating student-driven systems that fight food insecurity while teaching nutrition, cultural foodways, and social-emotional skills. | |
| Krista Hesdorfer, MPA Advocate | Hunger Solutions New York Krista serves as Director of Public Affairs at Hunger Solutions New York, a statewide anti-hunger organization focused on maximizing access to federal nutrition assistance programs. As part of this work, Krista manages state and federal advocacy campaigns to protect and strengthen SNAP, WIC, school meals, and other federal anti-hunger programs. | |
| Emily Koelsch, MD Pediatrician | Child Care Council of Westchester Emily is a pediatrician at Pediatrics of Sleepy Hollow, where she has cared for children in the River Towns community for 15 years. She also serves as Board President of the Child Care Council of Westchester and is a strong advocate for early childhood education, development, and addressing food insecurity. | |
| Monique Marshall, MS, RDN, CD-N Registered Dietitian | Feeding Westchester Monique has eight years of experience as a Registered & NY State Certified Dietitian Nutritionist, with expertise spanning clinical, community, and food service management. She is passionate about expanding access to healthy food and promoting nutrition, wellness, and food literacy to improve community health across Westchester. | |
| Melissa Rodriguez Principal | Enrico Fermi School Melissa has served the Yonkers Public Schools district for over 17 years, including three as principal of Enrico Fermi School, the largest Pre K–8 school in the city. She recently spearheaded the partnership with Feeding Westchester to create La Bodeguita de Fermi, the district’s newest in-school food pantry, reflecting her deep commitment to supporting children and families. |
Website and Social Media
Please include links to Feeding Westchester’s website where possible (feedingwestchester.org) and follow us on social media:
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Feeding Westchester serves Westchester County, providing food to a hunger-relief network of 175 partners. With a mission to nourish our neighbors in the fight against hunger, the organization sources and distributes good, nutritious food and other resources to wherever it is needed most.
In fiscal year 2025, Feeding Westchester provided more than 21 million pounds of food equivalent to more than 17 million meals through soup kitchens, food pantries, schools, shelters, residential programs, and mobile distributions. That served an average of 235,000 neighbor visits – including visits from children, seniors, veterans, and hardworking families – every month. The nonprofit, a 4-star Charity Navigator organization, is committed to creating a community where all people have access to the food they need today, and the fundamental resources to build a better tomorrow.
Feeding Westchester is located at 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY 10523. For more information, or to donate, visit feedingwestchester.org.ouseholds are struggling to put food on their tables1—a staggering reminder that the rising cost of living, soaring food prices, and historic cuts to federal safety net programs are pushing more families to the brink.
“People across the country have demonstrated immense care for their neighbors in crisis time and time again, helping to build stronger, more resilient communities,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Ending the hunger crisis in America is no different. This Hunger Action Month, our hope for the nation is to start building a new reality together, through unified action toward a shared vision of a hunger free America.”
The crisis is urgent. More than 47 million Americans—including 14 million children—now face hunger, the highest level in over a decade. In Westchester, thousands of children are returning to school without the proper nutrition they need to focus, learn, and thrive.
“With deep cuts to SNAP ahead, we’re incredibly concerned for Westchester residents—including children, single parents, veterans, working families, and seniors—who don’t know where their next meal is coming from,” said Tami Wilson, COO of Feeding Westchester. “As children head back to school, it is doubly important that we provide them with the nutrition they need to reach their full potential. Hunger is a crisis we can solve—if we act together, and act now.”
TAKE ACTION
There are many ways that Westchester residents can take action with us in the fight against hunger:
Make A Matched Donation to Feeding Westchester
https://feedingwestchester.org/get-involved/donate/
Donations made in September up to $50,000 will be matched by Debbie Newman Bernstein, a generous supporter of Feeding Westchester. Every dollar you give provides four meals to neighbors in need right here in our community.
Hunger Action High School Challenge
Westchester schools are encouraged to take action and challenge their rivals
- Wear orange and post your group photos on Social accounts
- Make it personal: challenge your rival schools to try to match your Hunger Action spirit
Feeding Westchester’s Hunger Action Month Calendar
- MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8: Westchester County to Present “Hunger Action Month” Proclamation at County Executive’s Press Briefing
- County Executive Ken Jenkins and the Board of Legislators have approved a Hunger Action Month proclamation, reinforcing the national event here in Westchester
- 2pm, Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Ave, 9th floor, White Plains
- TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9: Hunger Action Day
- Tag Feeding Westchester on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok and we’ll happily re-post and promote your spirit
- Include “Together we are Feeding Westchester” in your video scripts and written posts
- Lisa LaRocca and News 12 Westchester will be live from Feeding Westchester’s Distribution Center from 5:00am-8:30am (subject to breaking news preemption)
- WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10: The Business Council of Westchester Board Meeting at Feeding Westchester
- FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12: Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Lighting
- The bridge will be showered in brilliant orange light building awareness of Hunger Action Month as commuters and travelers begin their weekend drives
- SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13: Feeding Our Families
- Starting at 8 AM, the community can visit their local Stop & Shop and donate most-needed, frequently requested non-perishable items
- Feeding Westchester partners with NBC4, Telemundo, Stop & Shop, and several of our local Partner Agencies for this annual event to collect food from Stop & Shop customers throughout the tri-state area, including 13 Westchester Stop & Shop locations
- SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14: Lighthouse Swim, benefiting Feeding Westchester and other local charities
- Challenging three-mile swim starts in Nyack and ends in historic Sleepy Hollow
- THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 6:30pm, The Coliseum, White Plains: Comics for a Cause—a night of comedy benefiting Feeding Westchester!
- Four comedians perform live, hosted by The Giving Circle of Lower Westchester
- Paul Warhit
- Jackie Saril
- Mitch Benson
- Luz Michelle
- Lloyd Robinson, Emcee
- Four comedians perform live, hosted by The Giving Circle of Lower Westchester
- TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 5:30pm at Feeding Westchester: Hungry to Learn Discussion Panel
- An eye-opening look at childhood hunger in Westchester and the innovative ways we are driving change to address It
- Panelists scheduled to participate:
- Allison Fasano | Teacher | Port Chester Middle School
- Dr. Emily Koelsch | Pediatrician | Child Care Council of Westchester
- Monique Marshall, MS, RDN, CD-N | Nutritionist | Feeding Westchester
- Krista Hesdorfer, MPA | Advocate | Hunger Solutions New York
- Melissa Rodriguez | Principal | Enrico Fermi School
- Danielle DeMaio | Moderator | Feeding Westchester Board Member
- Live attendance by invitation only; post-event video will be shared
Other Ways To Help…During Hunger Action Month…or Anytime
Feeding Westchester | Other Ways to Help Fight Hunger
- Volunteer opportunities for community organizations
- Student Involvement Projects
- Help From Home food packing program
- Start a Food Drive with #GiveHealthy
- Make your voice heard! Visit our Advocacy page and sign-up for Action Alerts
Take action and join us in the fight against hunger in Westchester County!
Graphic Resources
- Photos
- Feeding Westchester Staff and Food Distributions https://feedingwestchester.smugmug.com/Video/Feeding-Westchester-Action-Shot-Photos/Best-Photos
- Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in orange, recognizing Hunger Action Month
- Please include links to Feeding Westchester’s website where possible (feedingwestchester.org) and follow us on social media (control + click icons to visit our accounts)
1ALICE Report, United Way Westchester and Putnam
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Feeding Westchester serves Westchester County, providing food to a hunger-relief network of 175 partners. With a mission to nourish our neighbors in the fight against hunger, the organization sources and distributes good, nutritious food and other resources to wherever it is needed most.
In fiscal year 2025, Feeding Westchester provided more than 21 million pounds of food, equivalent to more than 17 million meals through soup kitchens, food pantries, schools, shelters, residential programs, and mobile distributions. That served an average of 235,000 neighbor visits – including visits from children, seniors, veterans, and hardworking families – every month. The nonprofit, a 4-star Charity Navigator organization, is committed to creating a community where all people have access to the food they need today, and the fundamental resources to build a better tomorrow.
Feeding Westchester is located at 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY 10523. For more information, or to donate, visit feedingwestchester.org.
