Kate Krader (@kkrader on Twitter) is Food & Wine's restaurant editor. When she tells us where to find our culinary heart's desire, we listen up.
Wow. It’s just astonishing and heartwarming and every positive adjective I can think of to see how hard people everywhere are working to help victims of Superstorm Sandy. There’s still so much that needs to be done, such a great need for items like batteries, baby supplies, tools - the list goes on.
Keep your eyes open for more ways to help, from eating out at places that donate to support Sandy victims to drop-offs for coats and supplies now that it’s starting to snow here in the Northeast. But let’s take one minute for a by-the-numbers look at several great efforts by people in the food industry to help others who still badly need it.
5,000: The number of pizza slices (that’s 600 pies) that Boston’s Otto Pizza chain delivered to Howard Beach last weekend, along with water. “We heard and saw that New Yorkers were in dire straits, and hungry to boot,” co-owner Anthony Allen told Eater.com. “We can't rebuild houses, but we can, at least, feed a few thousand people some hot pizza. That's why we're doing it: because we can.” The Otto team even warmed up their thin-crusted pizzas for New Yorkers on a grill before serving.
900: The number of sandwiches that Manhattan’s elegant Italian restaurant Marea sent to the Rockaways. Sandwich selections included turkey and provolone, bologna and PB&J on white bread, whole wheat bread and whole grain rolls. There were brownies too, from Marea’s pastry kitchen.
10,000: The number of dollars that Fourth Wall Restaurants (the company behind Smith & Wollensky, Maloney & Porcelli, Park Avenue Autumn, Post House and Quality Meats) donated to the Red Cross from their Election Night dinner service at all of the restaurants.
1,000: The number of roast pork sliders with green tomato barbecue sauce that the terrific Brooklyn restaurant Seersucker made in one day, donating all the money to help relief efforts in Red Hook. (That’s 175 pounds of heritage Berkshire pig, if you’re counting.)
28,000: The number of meals that the New York City Food Truck Association has served to residents without power in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and New Jersey.
2000: The number of square feet of classroom space that The Brooklyn Kitchen filled with donations from neighbors—including clothes, canned goods, and cleaning supplies, etc.—to transport to people in need in the Rockaways (it took 20 carloads, the equivalent of one fully loaded tractor trailer, to get them there).
5,000: The number of pounds of squash from Taft Farms in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, that renowned chef David Bouley is turning into Heirloom Squash and Chestnut Soup at Bouley to donate to places in need, including schools and Bowery Rescue Center shelters.
4: The number of Top Chef alums who cooked at Anejo Tequileria on Monday, November 5, to raise funds for the Red Cross: Jen Carroll, Kevin Sbraga, Dale Talde and Angelo Sosa.
42: The number of people who paid $495 each to attend a sold-out six-course meal with cocktails at Manhattan’s Café Boulud on Friday, November 2, to benefit the Red Cross. The phenom meal boasted a collaboration between chefs from the Korean-styled Momofuku restaurants with Café Boulud chef Gavin Kaysen. On the menu: matsutake mushroom agnolotti with buckwheat, and duck with wild rice and apple. Guests also got to take home pieces of Momofuku Milk Bar’s aptly named Crack Pie.
15,000: The projected number of attendees for the New York Chocolate Show, which took place from Friday, November 9, through Sunday, November 11. The New York Times reported that there was a booth where visitors could drop off coats to be donated to New York Cares, which is starting its drive earlier than usual, to help victims of the storm. In other words, 15,000 is the number of coats that chocolate lovers could donate to aid storm victims. Didn't get a ticket? There are plenty of other drop-off points throughout the city.
Previously - Waiting out the storm: hourly workers feel Sandy's impact and Anthony Bourdain: Eat out and tip big to save NYC restaurants after Sandy
More from Food & Wine:
America’s Best Pizza Places
Best Burgers in the U.S.
America's Best Cupcakes
America's Best Bars
Ultimate Thanksgiving Recipes
Outside NYC and want to help? CNN's Impact Your World has a great list of resources that could use your time and money. Thinking about coming to New York to eat? Follow the Twitter hashtag #dineoutNYC to see the latest charity efforts and open restaurants and don't forget to #EatDownTipUp.
© 2011 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.
2400 the number of meals taken to Far Rockaway, Brooklyn from Bronx Mosque as part of our outreach effort!!!
May we seek guidance and protection from our Creator.
I notice you were not giving homeless people that were starving to death any free pizzas while the communists were making sure they couldnt even beg for food. You people and false sense of americanism make me sick. Let these disgusting communists die from freezing and starvation as they have done to others!
Sorry you feel ill. Perhaps if you stayed on your psych meds, you would feel better
Let me save everyone some headache of reading all the comments below:
Republican side: "Obama slow response/private business/FEMA"
Democrat: "Papa John's not donate/Evil corporation/Stupid Tax Write off"
But there is hope. Occasionally, you may see a comment espousing the virtues of people, whether individually or as part of a corporation, donating food and other goods to people in need.
And where are the donations from the major chains that have CEOs that make millions each year????? Where is the donations from the high and mighty christian Cathy aka Chick fil A family? Where is the donations from Mr. I have a 22 car garage Papa John but I would rather cut my employee's hours than give health care to the people that breath on and touch the food I'm selling you?????
If I told you that, would it make you go away and stop being such a judgmental person? Probably not, but hope springs eternal. Yutz
Communism = State capitalism. Why do you think they torture so many to death after moving illegals in? The corporations do the dirty work for the communists by hiring the illegals. The prison state then disarms you and takes you to jail merely forr being poor.
Nice to hear these stories.
1,000,000: The number of dollars Lady Gaga donated to the Red Cross.
salvation army is the only trust worthy one.
I totally agree. Salvation Army helps all in need year round...Red Cross has coffee trucks and doughnuts with occassional temporary shelter during disaster, then dissappears.
Help the Salvation Army do their job and donate regulary.
...and I hope she continues to be blessed for doing such good with her money. She sets an example for other celebrities, who were born and live in NY and NJ.
Hope they have plenty of toilet paper.
It is a great show of support that these businesses would help people with their own supply and money. It's hard enough for small businesses to survive with our crappy economy and Gov tax. I have an excellent idea. How about our greedy celebrities each donate at least a million each. I'm sure they can afford to not spend 10,000 on their dogs or 30,000 on their faces for one week. Where are you celebrities. How about helping the people that pay for you to live your lavish bullshit lifestyles?
Reading some of the statements today makes me feel sorry for the folks that make them. I bet most of them have never experienced a hurricane. Get real people this is the worse storm to ever hid the east coast. Katrina while bad it did not cover such a large area.
"Get real people this is the worse storm to ever hid the east coast. "
And you came up with that statement with what? Total deaths? No, the 1938 hurricane killed more than 600+. Total damage? Hurricane Miami (1924) would have caused more if it landed in 2012 (150+ billion). So what exactly are you referring to as making this the worst on the East Coast? Barometric pressure was certainly low when it hit land fall, but this doesn't make it "the worst storm", just a very strong one.
This was the worst storm for UNPREPARED citizens who didn't take the warnings seriously and are now screaming for help. I live in southwest CT so I took this storm as well as Irene and Alfred last week, and in total I was out power for more than 21 days. Never needed any help because I PREPARED myself with food, water, batteries, gasoline, ect. Contingency plans people! Sure I was tired, and angry, but I got through it on my own. The only thing people should be relying on the government for is to clear the roads and restore the power (if your power is owned by the gov like Long Island). Expect nothing else, and you'll do much better.
And I'm sorry if you lost your house if you live near the coast, but what did you think? You live near the coast, it's the price you pay. It's a risk you are taking if you own a house near the coast (within a mile or 2). If you didn't realize that was a risk when you bought the house then you didn't do your homework.
Does being such a shamelessly unapologetic victim blamer make you feel better about yourself or something?
Alex makes some valid factual points, maybe he could have kept the tone less condescending. Everyone should prepare properly and research the consequences of owning property in areas of storm aggression such as the coast. IMO. This will continue to happen, over and over. It always has, always will. There is no reason to be ill prepared.
I think it's great that so many people are helping out with the Hurricane Sandy recovery. I wish the story had mentioned other groups/companies outside of the Northeast which have helped out in the area as well. One good example of this is "The Shed BBQ" from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They have served several thousand meals, through their charity "Operation BBQ". There are so many organizations from around the country which are helping in the relief efforts.
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The bad thing is this will go down in history as Obama's Katrina...
Yeah, I am sure Obama went into the basement of the White House and turned a big fan on. Until you have experienced a small hurricane don' t make stupid statements.
Is the one that cause the hurricane to begin with. He went into the basement of the Whitehouse and was practicing his voodoo black magic witchcraft and brought the hurricane on. He was the one responsible for the snow blizzard last year as well.
Alright now that Chris Christie's dinner is taken care of can we get the rest of NJ something to eat?
That was too funny! Seriously this is a great story! :)
you depend on fema you starve ..where barry, playing another round of golf at the club?
Chris Christie's bromance with the prez must really eat you up!
Sore loser?
5000 pizzas? Cool! We finally found a use for Herman Cain.
I know. Obama didn't contribute anything.
he immediately passed legislation to declare it a disaster zone so FEMA could come in... so yeah he did nothing, except release tens of millions of dollars to help sandy victims.. oh yeah nothing..pizza vs millions of dollars... you deserve a star, i presume you are in the 1st grade.
So it's 600 pizzas, not 5000 pizzas. Just once I'd like to see CNN get something right, or at least not embellish the facts.
Yeah that's a good point. I mean 600 pizzas is really nothing to write home about.
yeah i donated 10,000 dollars.. i ripped a one dollar bill up into 10,000 pieces.
Lmao.
Who cares that a severe hurricane ripped through New York City two weeks ago. Who cares that thousands of homeless people in NYC go hungry every day, especially due to overcrowding in shelters. Since last March, Mayor Bloomberg has halted all food donations because the city can’t assess their salt, fat and fiber content. Even during the Hurricane Sandy disaster, he is standing behind his band, because it’s better to assess the content of donated food than to have people starve to death................................................
And yet – all PRIVATE businesses....
so what is your point?
Knew it wouldnt be that jackass Papa John giving out pizzas. Too busy counting his money and worrying about providing health insurance for his employees.
You are so right!
Actually, Papa John's has been giving out free pizzas in Lower Manhattan for several days. I stopped on my way home tonight to thank them for what they were doing. They said they've given out around 6,000 pizzas and are planning on being there through Wednesday. Great company!
This should also take care of the gas shortage...
The only advantage NY/NJ has is that there are neighboring states a short drive away... in Florida when this happens, you're stuck like chuck!
It doesn't matter how long the drive is, it won't help if you don't have the gas in your car to get there.
Well that will make you plan next time. Contingency! Contingency! Contingency! Live by that word within reason or suffer the consequences.
Not sure about you, but I filled up my tank and containers prior to Sandy coming in. Wonder how many of these people did? My guess, not many AKA UNPREPARED. I saw plenty of New Yorkers in southwest CT getting gas and filling up containers, making the drive up here to ensure they had gas for their generators / car.
lol true. I guess for those who fueled up before the storm, it helps.
My company donated $500,000 and is doing dollar for dollar donations as well...so far over $1 million has been given.
So? Whaddaya want – a cookie?
you get a road cookie for that smarta** remark
Nice!
AWESOME!!!!!! wish my company would do something like that!
I bet the company finds a way to get it all back at income tax time
If you claim any type of write off or exemptions on your annual 1040, you are a hypocrite.
And Sarah Palin donated 3 stale mooseburgers and a large platter of s'mores.
You have zero talent at trying to be sarcastic. Not even close to being funny. You should just stop wasting our time with comments like that.
You should stop wasting my time with comments like yours.
That's your response? LOL Get yourself an education and then come back and comment.
You three may want to try and 'get a life' too!
Wow! Are you for real? Where did that come from? You obsessed with Sarah? haaa Don't get me started on the nimrod that is YOUR vice president. haa He thought he was campaigning for slick willy! haaaaaa
LMAO!
Laughing at palintwit, that is.
D O U C H E!
That's funny, I don't think she can count to 3
She gave more than Obama Biden did combined :)
BostonSteve... Actually, I am very educated. I have a masters in political science from Sarah Palin University.
Again with the attempted sarcasm. Please honey, you are not original, you are not funny, and frankly you bore me. Please leave now.
BostonSteve... I just wanted to mention that I think it's very nice of your trailer park manager to let you play with his computer all day. I hope you return the favor.
Palintwit.....don't forget to clean around the bowl. You missed that last time and you know what happened.
BostonSteve... I think you have me confused with Bristol Palin.
Go away, Steve (please)
BostonSteve, you might want to look up sarcasm in the dictionary before you go talkin' smack. Just sayin'.
Palintwit – I would see help. Your hatred of the Palins borders along the lines of obsession. That can't be good for you, as it certainly has not helped your sense of humor. Get help fast.
I would never vote for anyone named Palin, but seriously, man......I am almost expecting you to tell me that "I am the weakest link. Goodbye," after your next Palin insult directed at me
Yeah – you have a masters alright. A masters in stupidity. I hope Republicans give this administration the same cooperation they have received over the years. NONE. Good luck!
I'm gonna go watch me some nascar !! Yeeehhhhaaawwwww !!
People...............there are MANY MORE great, giving, and honest people here than idiots and liars.................
Meanwhile, the good people of Long Island continue to be basically ignored!
Cry me a storm, ya Brooklyn baby.
that's because of this bizarre concoction known as LIPA, which i just learned about this weekend (i don't live on Long Island). basically just an extra layer of bureacracy for political patronage jobs. no wonder it takes forever to fix things. how the hell did people get away with establishing that?!!? it's a damn shame some innocent people are victims of that.
I'm sure they aren't ignored on PURPOSE... help will come. The more people like you and I get involved, the quicker places like Long Island can get help.
Just goes to prove to all that the federal governemnt and the Red Cross are worthless. Private donations from individuals and corporations will ALWAYS help out. Obama got his 15 minutes of fame for a photo op.
...and your contribution was what?
I got my power restored late Saturday night (the 10th), after basically 12 full days in the dark. All kudos go directly to the out-of-town crew (I think they were from Alabama) that worked to restore the power on my block. LIPA can go to hell. Everyone knows they're nothing but bureaucrats with no real sense of a utility background. We LI'ers miss the days of LILCO.
Thank you for that uninformed statement. Please go back to your room where you can continue to watch more b s you take in as gospel. LIPA has been working as fast as possible to help. FEMA and Red Cross are both spread out across multiple states trying to help as many people as possible. More than half of those on Long Island that lost power have had it restored. But you can continue to be uneducated and bitter, if that works for you. But don't try to spread your uninformed hatred here. If you are in an area affected, seek out the help that is available. If you are unaffected, try helping out.
BEAUTIFUL!