Sept. 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin
A Forest Hills concert featuring hip hop artists Nas and DJ Cassidy last week raised enough money to help a local charity feed nearly 2.5 million New Yorkers for a day.
All proceeds from the ‘Concert to Feed NYC’ on Sept. 23 at Forest Hills Stadium were donated to City Harvest, the city’s largest food rescue organization.
The concert was headlined by the Grammy-winning performer and former Queens resident Nas following the release of his chart-topping album King’s Disease II.
Native New Yorker and record producer DJ Cassidy kicked off the concert with an hour-long set celebrating New York.
The fundraising concert was hosted at a time when many New York City families are struggling to put food on the table.
The number of New Yorkers lacking food surged across the city during the pandemic.
More than 1.5 million New Yorkers now experience food insecurity — a 38 percent increase over pre-pandemic figures. Furthermore, 1 in 3 children in NYC are now food insecure, according to City Harvest.
The concert was held to support City Harvest’s efforts to ensure that no New Yorker has to worry about where his or her next meal is coming from. The proceeds will help the organization deliver nutritious food during a time of historic food insecurity.
“We are grateful to our longtime friend Nas and to DJ Cassidy for partnering with City Harvest to raise enough funds to help us feed nearly 2.5M New Yorkers struggling to put meals on their tables due to the pandemic,” Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest, said in a statement. “At a moment when food insecurity rates continue to be at record highs throughout our city, we are proud to partner with them to bring fresh, nutritious food to thousands of families across the five boroughs.”
Nas, who was raised in the Queensbridge Houses, was also awarded an official Key to the Borough.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards honored the recording artist and 10 frontline City Harvest workers after the concert.
Richards also officially made Sept. 23, 2021 “Nas Day” in the borough.
.@Nas was incredible at last night’s @CityHarvest Concert to Feed NYC at @ForestHillsStdm, just like these essential workers have been throughout the pandemic. To everyone at City Harvest and all those who worked to keep #Queens going over the past 18 months, we’re so grateful. pic.twitter.com/oSeViLu6iY
— Queens Borough President Donovan Richards (@QnsBPRichards) September 24, 2021
