Supporting Met Council’s mission of fighting poverty during this year’s event were Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand; Congressmen Charles Rangel and Jerrold Nadler; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Speaker Christine Quinn,and many more appointed and elected officials.
“The work that the Met Council does is so extraordinary and everyone in this room knows that these have been very difficult times,” Senator Gillibrand said. “The number of families that have had to use the services that Met Council provides have continually increased. The need could not be greater.”
Fifteen outstanding community leaders and organizations were also honored by Met Council for their commitment to fighting poverty throughout New York City.
Honorees included Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; Councilmember Domenic Recchia, Jr.; Executive Vice President of the Board of Rabbis Rabbi Joseph Potasnik; Rabbi Harlan Wechsler and others.
“Met Council provides so many services for those individuals that need a helping hand. Many of them would slip through the cracks if it wasn’t for Met Council,” said New York State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. “Whether it’s senior citizens or the young people, they’re there for those who need that helping hand.”
Met Council is one of New York’s largest human services agencies, providing 100,000 New Yorkers with critical services in their fight against poverty every year. Since 1972, Met Council has been an advocate for New Yorkers in need, and has raised awareness of the growing problem of Jewish poverty. With services ranging from kosher food pantries to career training, Met Council helps individuals find immediate relief and lasting solutions.
