Community. It’s what’s gotten New Yorkers through hard times. On Wednesday, September 29, a special live music event was held to celebrate and support our local community with special guest CeeLo Green.

Epic views. Good vibes. It was all on tap for The Seaport Community Concert Featuring CeeLo Green on The Rooftop at Pier 17. Tickets for the neighborhood event started at just $15 — and they came with a feel-good bonus. All ticket proceeds for the concert benefited  UA3 Community First Food Pantry, resulting in a $25,000 donation.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has been supporting disadvantaged students and adults for the past seven years — and it has done extraordinary work to help New Yorkers facing food shortages since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Last spring, UA3 created the Community First Food Pantry — packaging and delivering food donations to NY Housing Authority residences, senior citizen homes, and tenement buildings throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and South Bronx. 

As demand for assistance grew, UA3 partnered with Councilmember Margaret Chin, Covenant Mercy Mission and Manor Community Church’s food pantry. Together, the groups continue to expand their support of overlooked populations, including seniors, racial minority groups, people with disabilities, domestic survivors, and undocumented immigrants.  

Since opening in April 2020, UA3 Community First Food Pantry has distributed more than 6 million pounds of food to those in need. At least 330,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, baked goods, cereals and cheeses are distributed per week, along with over 11,000 gallons of milk. 

The challenges of COVID-19 are still with us. One in four New Yorkers face food insecurity due to the pandemic. We thank everyone who came together to enjoy live music at The Seaport Community Concert to make a difference for our neighbors.

For more information about UA3, and to volunteer, donate or partner with the organization, visit ua3now.org. For more details on The Seaport Community Concert, visit pier17ny.com.