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Glitz, Glam, and Giving Back as Stars Turn Out to Fight Food Insecurity in NYC
May 2, 2025, 8:54.57 am ET

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Photos: Katie Lee Biegel (Cititour.com)

It was a night of high style and higher purpose as New York’s culinary elite and celebrity crowd packed into The Pool for the third annual Gotham Ball, hosted by Food Bank For New York City. Held at the iconic Major Food Group venue, the glitzy gala raised funds and awareness for food insecurity across the five boroughs.

Katie Lee Biegel, Food Network star and the night’s honoree, didn’t mince words: “One in three children in the Bronx are food insecure,” she said. “So it’s really important that we’re out here tonight raising awareness and funds for them.”


Photo: Leslie Gordon, Gretta Monahan (Cititour.com)

Guests dined and dug deep into their wallets. The goal? To raise millions—and fast. “It would be great if we came out of this raising more than a couple of million dollars this evening,” said Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City. “What’s cool about Food Bank is, you give us a dollar today and I could take you within a matter of hours to show you our impact at work.”

The crowd was stacked with familiar faces. “Good Day New York” co-anchors Rosanna Scotto and Curt Menefee brought the heart.

“We have to take care of our neighbors. It’s not easy to live in New York City,” said Scotto. “Whatever we can do to give back, it would just make such a difference.” Menefee echoed the sentiment. “We have a moral obligation—particularly those of us fortunate enough to have food on the table—to help those less fortunate. I was one of those kids who didn’t.”


Photo: Jeremy O'Brecht, Hilaria Baldwin, Leslie Gordon, Isaac Boots (Cititour.com)

Hilaria Baldwin, in a sleek black and white gown, said it was time to roll up our sleeves: “New York has gone through some exceptionally difficult years, so I think there’s a lot of work we can do tonight and fundraising.” When asked if hunger in the city could ever be eradicated, she added, “I hope so. I think we can always hope.”

The Gotham Ball, now in its third year, has already helped provide over 11 million meals to hungry New Yorkers. With last night’s turnout of stars, chefs, and supporters—it’s safe to say that number’s about to grow.

For more information, visit www.foodbanknyc.org

See more red carpet on Instagram here:



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