“We raised about 700 pounds of food for City Harvest just this past year alone,” says Lauren Lavin, 14, who now spearheads the food drive in her building, the Renaissance Revival-style Beresford, a landmark apartment building on Central Park West since 1929.
The born and bred Upper West Sider is no stranger to volunteer work. Like most NYC students, the 8th-grader has done service via her school, Convent of the Sacred Heart. “We do a lot of clothing drives.”
The Beresford Annual Food Drive, though, is Lavin’s first foray into running the show.
“It was already set up in the building when I took over,” says Lavin, who picked up the mantle this past holiday season after the project, which had been established many years ago, took a two-year hiatus because her predecessors went off to college.
What inspired her to take charge was her observation that “Food is a necessity, and I thought [re-establishing the food drive] would have a big impact on the community.”
The fact is that about 1 in every 7 New Yorkers is facing hunger and relies on food-centric organizations—City Harvest, Food Bank for New York City, CityMeals on Wheels, God’s Love We Deliver, and Henry Street Settlement, to name only a few—for their next meals. Unfortunately, many food pantries can’t handle the massive influx of hungry people, so there isn’t always enough food for everyone. That’s why citizens like Lauren Lavin, who turn their concern into action, are so important.
Even though Lavin handles the details of the food drive by herself—from setting up the drop-off location in the basement of her building, to creating the flyer and signage for her neighbors, to coordinating with City Harvest—she knows she can rely on her supportive parents to pitch in when needed. “My dad helped load the boxes into the [City Harvest] cars.”
When asked what her peers and teachers thought of her undertaking, Lavin admitted, “I’ve told a few friends, but I really haven’t talked about it to teachers or anyone.” Her humility, the kind shown by those who give without expectation of recognition or accolades, makes this young woman even more deserving of the WESTY award being bestowed upon her.
Under Lavin’s leadership, City Harvest—the world’s oldest food-rescue program, which helps feed over 300,000 people each week—can expect even more assistance from The Beresford Annual Food Drive. According to the UWS teen, “We’re going to try to raise more next year, like a couple hundred more pounds, so we’ll have 900 pounds of donations for City Harvest.”
With Lauren Lavin at the helm, for years to come The Beresford Annual Food Drive will continue to feed New Yorkers in need and the souls of those who participate.
A comprehensive list of food pantries in Manhattan that need donations and volunteers is available at NYC.gov.
“Food is a necessity, and I thought [re-establishing the food drive] would have a big impact on the community.” --Lauren Lavin