New York, NY, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — The service organization Dance/NYC is working with World Central Kitchen (WCK), the non-profit organization founded by internationally known Chef José Andrés, to establish a coalition of cultural organizations throughout New York City as meal distribution sites for residents, artists and health care workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Monday, April 20, 2020, partner distribution sites will include Mark Morris Dance Group, which will serve as a distribution site in Brooklyn and Museum of the Moving Image, which will serve as a distribution site in partnership with local immigrant owned restaurants in Queens. Additional partners include Staten Island Arts/La Colmena, which will serve as a distribution site for Staten Island. Each of the sites will provide free, pre-packaged meals from World Central Kitchen on a first-come, first-served basis. The effort resulted when Dance/NYC analyzed data collected through a Coronavirus Impact Survey disseminated on March 11, 2020 examining the impact individual dance workers and organizations based in the metropolitan New York City area are facing due to the spread of COVID-19. As of April 13, individual dance workers reported a cumulative loss of at least $2.8 million and organizations, projects, and groups indicated losses that exceed $17 million. Notably, many respondents indicated they won’t be able to sustain themselves much longer without unrestricted funding to cover lost salaries/wages, living expenses, and food/groceries—with food/groceries being at the top of the list. Moreover, the data suggests that the virus disproportionately impacts people who identify as disabled, African, Latina/o/x, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA), woman and genderqueer/nonbinary as well as older dance workers and immigrant dance workers. As a response to these data findings and a demonstration of Dance/NYC's commitment to advocating on behalf of the dance field, arts and cultural organizations, and the communities they serve, Executive Director Alejandra Duque Cifuentes initiated outreach to World Central Kitchen to directly support those most impacted. For a list of partner distribution sites visit https://www.dance.nyc/covid-19/worldcentralkitchen. For images from WCK and partner distribution sites visit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bl0cob9bh10hj1w/AAB3i9P6S9vGjI9ceVqOqTTNa?dl=0Partner Distribution Site Addresses, Days, and Hours include:Mark Morris Dance Group (BROOKLYN)Mark Morris Dance Center 3 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 Distribution Start Date: April 20, 2020 Monday – Friday 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. (or until meals are no longer available) For more information visit: https://markmorrisdancegroup.org/covid-19-update/ Museum of the Moving Image (QUEENS)Distribution Start Date: April 20 36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, Queens 11106 ( map) *Distribution from 36 Street side entrance Monday – Friday 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. (or until meals are no longer available) For more information visit: http://www.movingimage.usStaten Island Arts/La Colmena (STATEN ISLAND)Distribution Start Date: April 29, 2020 La Colmena, 774 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island 10302 Wednesdays 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. (or until meals are no longer available) For more information visit: https://statenislandarts.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/lacolmenanyc/WCK has additional meal distribution sites across the metropolitan area. For a full list of sites, visit: https://wck.org/news/ny-nj. — END — About Dance/NYC (Dance.NYC)Dance/NYC’s mission is to promote the knowledge, appreciation, practice, and performance of dance in the metropolitan New York City area. It embeds values of justice, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization. It works in alliance with Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanceNYCorg/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance.nyc/Twitter https://twitter.com/DanceNYC About World Central KitchenCOVID-19 Relief EffortsWorld Central Kitchen (WCK) is a team of food first responders, mobilizing with the urgency of now to get meals to those who need them most. We're activating hundreds of restaurants and kitchens to feed marginalized and vulnerable communities and our brave medical professionals on the front lines, in order to make a meaningful impact in the fight to keep everyone fed, and to support the distressed restaurant industry. We know that a nourishing meal in a time of crisis is so much more than a plate of food---it's hope, it's dignity, it's a sign that someone cares about you and that you are not alone. Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, WCK uses the power of food to heal and strengthen communities through times of crisis and beyond. WCK has transformed the field of disaster response to help devastated communities recover and establish resilient food systems. Since its founding, WCK has served more than 16 million meals to those impacted by natural disasters and other crises around the world in countries including Albania, The Bahamas, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Mozambique, Spain, Venezuela, and the United States. Learn more at WCK.org. About Mark Morris Dance GroupFounded in New York City in 1980 by artistic director and choreographer Mark Morris, hailed by The New York Times as “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical,” the Mark Morris Dance Group has been called “the preeminent modern dance organization of our time” (Yo-Yo Ma). Its members have received the “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity.” ( Bloomberg News). Live music and community engagement are vital components of the Mark Morris Dance Group, which has toured with its own musicians, the MMDG Music Ensemble, since 1996. The Mark Morris Dance Center, opened in Brooklyn in 2001, is the home of the Dance Group and provides educational opportunities in dance and music to people of all ages and abilities. Learn more at MarkMorrisDanceGroup.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkMorrisDanceGroup/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markmorrisdance/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkMorrisDanceAbout Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI)The Museum's mission is to advance the understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of the art, history, technique, and technology of film, television, and digital media. Though devastated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum continues to fulfill its mission online, through remote education programs, online screenings and talks, and other resources. For more information, visit www.movingimage.us. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MovingImageMuseumTwitter: http://twitter.com/MovingImageNYCInstagram: https://instagram.com/movingimagenyc/About Staten Island ArtsFounded 28 years ago as a grassroots arts collective, Staten Island Arts (legal name: Council on the Arts and Humanities for Staten Island, Inc.) is a service organization that provides resources and programming to individuals and organizations in the arts, cultural, and humanities sector. As the arts council for Richmond County, the organization’s mission to cultivate a sustainable and diverse cultural community for the people of Staten Island is accomplished through support to local artists and organizations through Regrant and capacity building funding, professional development, programming and services that make the arts accessible to all community members and visitors. Our presentations include an active gallery/exhibition program, live performances, a Folklife program centered around community-led programming, and an affordable space rental program for community-based organizations and individual artists to present their programs at Staten Island Arts’ 1,000 square foot waterfront gallery/performance space. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StatenIslandArtsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/statenarts/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/statenartsAbout La ColmenaLa Colmena is a Day Laborer and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Organization on Staten Island. Its mission is to empower the immigrant community through education, organizing and economic development. In times of COVID-19, La Colmena is the only community organization that is open to help the immigrant community on Staten Island. Whether it is working remotely or handing out food and essentials; our team is ready to help the most vulnerable communities. Before the pandemic, on a regular day we would open our door for six committees. La Colmena gave members of the Day Laborers, Mujeres Liderando, Ñani Migrante, Guelaguetza, L’Unicorns, and Staten Island Butterfly Effect a space to meet. All groups are made of immigrant people, immigrant fathers, mothers and children. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacolmenanyc/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaColmenaNYC | 
