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Volunteer Exemption Letter

Thank you for volunteering to help City Harvest ensure no New Yorkers goes hungry during the COVID-19 crisis.

City Harvest’s employees and volunteers are critical to keeping our food rescue operations running. Designated an essential service by Governor Cuomo and New York State, City Harvest is not subject to the in-person workforce restriction. We’ve drafted the letter below for our employees and volunteers to keep on hand while traveling to and from City Harvest activities.


Download a PDF of this letter.

Sunday, March 22, 2020 

To Whom It May Concern, 

City Harvest, as a food rescue organization, has been deemed an essential service by New York State. As per New York State Executive Order 202.6 City Harvest is not subject to the in-person workforce restriction. Employees and volunteers are essential members responding to this crisis by sourcing, packing, and delivering food directly to those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.   

Please be advised that any City Harvest employee or volunteer is acting in essential capacity to make this happen and, as such, will be traveling to and from our warehouse and mobile programming across New York City and the tri-state area. 

If you have any questions, please contact me using the contact information below. 

Thank you, 

Erin Butler
Director, Volunteer Services
646.412.0738
[email protected] 

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