“Project Oatmeal is a shining source of hope for those in need.”
–The Huffington Post
As of February 14, 2013, Project Oatmeal has raised $117,624 and purchased 674,522 meals for delivery to
New York’s hungriest.
Project Oatmeal profiled in
The Huffington Post
Project Oatmeal profiled on
Channel 11 News (WPIX)
More than four million people go hungry in New York every day—and more than 50% are children. Many of the hungry, including children, the elderly and those with disabilities, have no way to work, and they face hunger every day as a serious struggle. Living in one of the wealthiest cities, we often don’t see the tremendous hunger before our eyes. But it is very real. People will stand outdoors for hours in freezing temperatures hoping to bring home some food. Some wait on line on behalf of friends or family members who are too ill to wait in line themselves. Often food pantries run out of food, and not everyone gets fed.
With the philosophy of focusing on one simple, direct way to help, Project Oatmeal’s goal is to provide one of the most needed foods to New York’s hungriest. Oatmeal is at the top of the “most needed” food list. Oatmeal is desirable for many reasons: it is Inexpensive, highly nutritious, light to transport and has a long shelf life; it also lowers cholesterol, is a good breakfast food, and is safe for all stratums of society, from children to the elderly. It also tends to put a smile on people’s faces.
With 100% of donated funds going directly to oatmeal and 0% overhead, Project Oatmeal continually finds the best price for oatmeal in the nation, buys it direct from the manufacturer, and has it shipped directly to the people who need it most: New York’s hungry, in New York’s hardest hit neighborhoods. Project Oatmeal makes it possible to feed hungry New Yorkers at a cost of approximately 15 cents a meal. That feat would be remarkable anywhere—and is even more so in New York City, the most expensive city in the world.
The oatmeal will be delivered to the BedStuy Campaign Against Hunger, New York’s largest food pantry, an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, which serves, on average, 300 families a day. For the last two years we have worked diligently, raising over $100,000 and providing over 600,000 meals of oatmeal. (Project Oatmeal in the Media)
Please DONATE NOW. Your donation of just $18 will buy approx. 128 meals*.
How Donations Work
* 4 ounces of oatmeal (expands with water) comprise 1 meal
* 1 canister of oatmeal contains 42 ounces (or 10.5 meals)
* 1 case contains 12 canisters (or 126 meals)
* 1 pallet contains 20 cases (or 2,520 meals)
* 1 truckload contains 52 pallets (12,480 canisters or 131,040 meals)
$18.12 buys one case (126 meals) *
$36.24 buys two cases (252 meals)
$54.75 buys 365 meals, one for every day of the year
$72.48 buys four cases (504 meals)
$144.96 buys eight cases (1,008 meals)
$289.92 buys 16 cases (2,016 meals)
$579.84 buys 32 cases (4,032 meals)
$1,159.68 buys 64 cases (8,064 meals)
…..
$18,844.80 buys 52 pallets (an entire 52 pallet truckload)
* {note that the price of oatmeal fluctuates}
Video from an oatmeal delivery on November 22, 2011 to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger
Video from an oatmeal delivery on November 9, 2010
to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger
Video from an oatmeal delivery on November 4, 2010
to the Greenpoint Reformed Church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Video from an oatmeal delivery on September 1, 2010
to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger
Video from an oatmeal delivery on June 4, 2009
Video from an oatmeal delivery on June 4, 2009 (clip 2 of 4)
Video from an oatmeal delivery on June 4, 2009 (clip 3 of 4)
Video from an oatmeal delivery on June 4, 2009 (clip 4 of 4)
Video (clip 1) from a 2008 delivery in Bedford Stuyvestant
A volunteer at the food bank in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn discusses the plight of the hungry.
Video (clip 2) from a 2008 delivery in Bedford Stuyvestant
Two pastors at the food bank in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn discuss their ongoing efforts on behalf of the hungry
In the Media
WPIX Television (Channel 11) News
(June 4, 2009)
The Huffington Post
(November 28, 2011)
The Huffington Post
(February 5, 2010)
City Harvest’s “Fresh News” newsletter
(June 9, 2009)
The Huffington Post
(January 30, 2008)
“It’s a New Day with Dr. Shoshanna” (Radio Show)
(November 19, 2008)
New York Daily News
(December 27, 2007)
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
So many generous donors have made Project Oatmeal possible, and we are grateful for each and every one of them, large and small.
On this page, we will take some time out to put a donor in the spotlight, and to highlight and recognize his or her incredible generosity.
Damon Giglio has, time and again, been our most generous donor and our most ardent supporter. Whenever we need it, he is there for us, always making up the difference and making sure that we have the funds we need to complete a purchase of oatmeal, and to get yet another truck of oatmeal on the road. He is truly a friend to those in need, and his generosity is unparalleled. Thank you, Damon!
Damon Giglio
Damon Giglio is serial entrepreneur with an impressive record founding, funding and managing a series of successful Internet-based ventures including ForSaleByOwner.com, which he built from an idea in 1999 to the Internet’s #1 resource in 2006 where owners are able to sell their homes without the assistance of a real estate agent. He is less known, however, for his charitable and philanthropic contributions, which include The Damon Giglio Foundation, which assists other charities and foundations to achieve their goals and The Functional Medicine Foundation – co-Founder and co-Chairman – dedicated to support the research, education & awareness of Functional Medicine, which is personalized medicine that deals with primary prevention and underlying causes of chronic diseases rather than treating symptoms. Giglio is a Board Member of the Turn the Corner Foundation, which supports research, education, awareness and innovative treatments of Lyme Disease and other tick-borne diseases and a committee member of the Andrew Glover Youth Program, which seeks to reclaim youths who have fallen into lives of habitual criminal behavior by providing an alternative to prison.
After selling ForSaleByOwner.com to the Chicago Tribune, Giglio developed and organized a series of Internet-based ventures including HealthyLiving.com, BizTrader.com and CreditRepair123.com. – all uniquely positioned in their particular industries. Prior to launching ForSaleByOwner.com, Giglio built and managed a series of successful ventures including WordsandMotion.com, Inc, MeetSomeone.com, ForeclosureTimes.com, and InternetInvestigator.com. He has bought, sold and managed his own portfolio of investment and rental real estate properties since the age of seventeen.
Mr. Giglio attended the State University of New York Oneonta where he majored in business Administration.
A FEW PAST DELIVERIES
On June 5, 2013, 220 cases (27,720 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. The line wrapped around the block.
On February 6, 2013, 330 cases (41,580 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. The line wrapped around the block in the freezing weather to receive it.
On December 16, 2012 ten volunteers from Credit Suisse devoted three hours to working at the BedStuy Campaign Against Hunger, making them eligible to apply for a $5,000 grant for Project Oatmeal for the Spring of 2013.
On November 16, 2012, thanks to Kathy Fallon and Heavenly Productions Foundation, the sixth grade class of H.C. Crittenden middle school in Armonk, New York was organized into a drive to collect oatmeal. Thanks to the hard work of the kids, several carloads of oatmeal were delivered to a Westchester food bank.
51 cases (over 6,400 meals) of oatmeal are delivered to the
BedSty Campaign Against Hunger on September 20, 2011.
169 cases (over 21,000 meals) of oatmeal are delivered to the
BedSty Campaign Against Hunger on February 8, 2011.
300 cases (over 36,000 meals) of oatmeal are delivered to the
BedSty Campaign Against Hunger on November 9, 2010.
120 cases (over 14,400 meals) of oatmeal are delivered to the
Greenpoint Reformed Church on November 4, 2010.
270 cases (over 34,000 meals) of oatmeal are delivered to the
BedSty Campaign Against Hunger on September 1, 2010.
Pictures from a delivery on June 5, 2013 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On June 5, 2013, 220 cases (27,720 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. The line wrapped around the block.
Pictures from a delivery on February 6, 2013 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On February 6, 2013, 330 cases (41,580 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. The line wrapped around the block in the freezing weather to receive it.
Pictures from a volunteer effort on December 16, 2012 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On December 16, 2012 ten volunteers from Credit Suisse devoted three hours to working at the BedStuy Campaign Against Hunger, making them eligible to apply for a $5,000 grant for Project Oatmeal for the Spring of 2013.
Pictures from a collection of oatmeal on November 16, 2012 (Westchester)
On November 16, 2012, thanks to Kathy Fallon and Heavenly Productions Foundation, the sixth grade class of H.C. Crittenden middle school in Armonk, New York was organized into a drive to collect oatmeal. Thanks to the hard work of the kids, several carloads of oatmeal were delivered to a Westchester food bank.
Pictures from a delivery on June 15, 2012 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On June 15th, 2012, as a direct result of the generosity of Credit Suisse, 250 cases (over 31,000 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. If the Oatmeal had not arrived, the BedSty agency would have had no other breakfast food (or rice, grain or pasta food) available to distribute. You can see from the below pictures how, without the oatmeal, the pantry is nearly empty. The agency receives over 300 visitors a day (the day before they’d had over 1,000 visitors), and more than half of the hungry are children.
Pictures from delivery on January 13, 2012 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On January 13th, 2012, 167 cases (over 21,042 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. If the Oatmeal had not arrived, the BedSty agency would have had no other breakfast food (or rice, grain or pasta food) available to distribute. You can see from the below pictures how, without the oatmeal, the pantry is nearly empty. You can also see the line wrapping down the entire avenue. The agency receives over 300 visitors a day (the day before they’d had over 1,000 visitors), and more than half of the hungry are children.
Pictures from Credit Suisse volunteering on December 28, 2011
(BedSty, Brooklyn)
On December 28, 2011, Credit Suisse gave generously of their time, sending 10 employees to help volunteer with Project Oatmeal at the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger. Their help was instrumental.
Pictures from November 22, 2011 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On November 22nd, 2011, 194 cases (over 24,400 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. If the Oatmeal had not arrived, the BedSty agency would have had no other breakfast food (or rice, grain or pasta food) available to distribute. You can see from the below pictures how, without the oatmeal, the pantry is nearly empty. You can also see the line wrapping down the entire avenue. The agency receives over 300 visitors a day (the day before they’d had over 1,000 visitors), and more than half of the hungry are children.
Pictures from September 20, 2011 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On September 20th, 2011, 51 cases (over 6,400 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. If the Oatmeal had not arrived, the BedSty agency would have had no other breakfast food (or rice, grain or pasta food) available to distribute. The agency receives over 300 visitors a day (they average over 9,000 visitors a month), and more than half of the hungry are children.
Pictures from February 8, 2011 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On February 8th, 2011, 169 cases (over 21,000 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. If the Oatmeal had not arrived, the BedSty agency would have had no other breakfast food (or rice, grain or pasta food) available to distribute. The agency receives over 300 visitors a day (they average over 9,000 visitors a month), and more than half of the hungry are children.
Pictures from November 9, 2010 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On November 9, 2010, 300 cases (over 36,000 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. If the Oatmeal had not arrived, the BedSty agency would have had no other breakfast food (or rice, grain or pasta food) available to distribute. The agency receives over 300 visitors a day (they average over 9,000 visitors a month), and more than half of the hungry are children. 
Pictures from November 4, 2010 (Greenpoint)
On November 4, 2010, 120 cases (over 14,000 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the Greenpoint Reformed Church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York. They received over 300 visitors that day.
Pictures from September 1, 2010 (BedSty, Brooklyn)
On September 1, 2010, 270 cases (over 34,000 meals) of oatmeal were delivered to the BedSty Campaign Against Hunger, in Brooklyn, New York. If the Oatmeal had not arrived, the BedSty agency would have had no other breakfast food available to distribute. The agency receives over 300 a day (they average over 9,000 visitors a month), and more than half of the hungry were children.
Pictures from June 4, 2009
In late May, 2009 Project Oatmeal purchased 52 more pallets of oatmeal, and it was delivered throughout the five boroughs of New York City on June 4, 2009. The below pics show one of the deliveries, in which 5 pallets of the oatmeal are delivered to a food agency on Marcy Avenue, in Bedford Stuyvestant, Brooklyn. The line is around the block, as people wait for more than 3 hours, hoping for some food. On the line hoping to eat are several children, many elderly, and many people using canes and in wheelchairs. They are thrilled to receive the oatmeal.
The truck arrives with the oatmeal
The line wraps around the block
Channel 11 and Channel 7 News are on hand to film. CBS radio also has call-in coverage.
A few of the recipients
Pictures from January 16, 2009
Project Oatmeal purchases 52 more pallets of oatmeal in December, 2008. On January 16, 2009, it is delivered. The below pics show one of the deliveries, in which 5 pallets of the oatmeal are delivered to a food agency on East 156th Street in the South Bronx. It is one of the coldest days of the year–just 2 degrees with the wind chill–yet over 100 people wait in line for food, standing in the frigid cold for nearly two hours. As you can see from the pictures below, if the oatmeal hadn’t arrived, the only other food they would have walked away with on this day was carrots and collard greens.
(Click on any picture for a larger image)
A portion of the line
The truck gets unloaded
The Oatmeal gets unpacked!
The workers at the food agency prepare for the crowd.
Note the bags of carrots–one of the only other foods available to be handed out this day.
The oatmeal is handed out.
The need is so great that several people ask for more than one container–
but the food agency must limit it to one container per person.
A father and son rejoice at the oatmeal
PICTURES FROM 2008
10 pallets of Oatmeal (feeds 25,200 meals)
Dropping off the oatmeal (just 1 hour after loading it) at two different food agencies in the South Bronx
The oatmeal is dropped off just two hours after pickup at a food agency in Bedford Stuyvestant, Brooklyn, and distributed the next morning. As you can see, the food line stretches over an avenue long, and comprises hundreds of people–who waited in 34 degree weather for over two hours hoping to bring home some food. Many of the people are elderly and/or disabled. Some people are waiting on line on behalf of friends or family members who are too ill to wait in line themselves. Sometimes the agency runs out of food, and not everyone gets fed.
LUKEMAN LITERARY 