Photos from our successful Food Sospeso Event

Rotary Club of New York and Food Sospeso Successfully
Launch Technology-Driven Initiative to Fight Food
Insecurity in New York City

More than 50 guests, public officials, diplomats, community leaders, and
restaurant owners gathered at the Turkish House for the official presentation of
the Food Sospeso Initiative.

NEW YORK, NY — The Rotary Club of New York and Food Sospeso successfully hosted a
special presentation event on May 7, 2026, at the Turkish House in New York City, officially
introducing the Food Sospeso Initiative — a technology-driven humanitarian platform
connecting restaurants, donors, and verified community organizations to help combat food
insecurity across New York City.
The event welcomed more than 50 distinguished guests, including diplomats, Rotary leaders,
government representatives, media, nonprofit organizations, and restaurant owners.
Among the honored attendees were:
 Gloria Starr Kins, Society DIPLOMATIC REVIEW
 Michael Novakhov, New York State Assembly Member
 Father Luigi Portarulo, The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
 Garrett Capobianco, Rotary Governor Elect, District 7230
 Muhittin Ahmet Yazal, Turkish Ambassador and Consul General
 Jude Ellie, Presidential Candidate from Haiti
 Mujdat Altay, President of the Rotary Club of New York
 Malika Ambrus, President Elect of the Rotary Club of New York
 Stefano Vaccara, ItalPress Agency
 Frederica Farina, La Voce di New York
 Richard Martin, Ronald McDonald House
 Ernest Lepore Ferrara, Ferrara Bakery CEO & Executive Chef
 Representatives of Over Greens Salads & Juice, NAR Restaurant, Harlem Sanctuary
Social Club, Sant’Egidio, and additional community partners.
Food Sospeso and the Rotary Club of New York would also like to express special gratitude to
Gloria Starr Kins of Society DIPLOMATIC REVIEW for her invaluable support and assistance
in helping organize this important event. At 99 years old, Ms. Kins continues to inspire the
community through her extraordinary dedication to humanitarian, diplomatic, and charitable
initiatives. Her support and encouragement played an important role in bringing together
distinguished guests, community leaders, and international representatives for this successful
evening.

 

The evening featured presentations by:
 Doria Josma, Board Chair of Food Sospeso
 Alexander Litvinov, President of Food Sospeso Inc.
 Leila Doering, Marketing Committee Chair
 Barry Abrams, who hosted the evening raffle.
A major highlight of the evening was the live demonstration of the Food Sospeso QR donation
technology. During the event, guests collectively donated 72 prepaid meals for children in need,
totaling $561.25. Donations were displayed live on-screen in real time, allowing attendees to
immediately see the growing number of meals being funded.
Food Sospeso operates on a “Meals, Not Money” model, where donations directly fund fresh
meals prepared by partner restaurants and distributed through verified community organizations.
The initiative focuses on transparency, dignity, and local impact by ensuring every donation is
traceable and every meal reaches people in need through trusted distribution partners.
Food Sospeso creates four powerful forms of impact:

 

• For people in need — access to fresh, dignified meals
• For restaurants — stronger customer loyalty and community engagement
• For the city — improved food security and stronger local partnerships
• For Rotary — visible humanitarian leadership and measurable community impact
The evening also marked an important milestone for the initiative with the presentation of
Partnership Certificate No. 1 to Over Greens Salads & Juice, officially recognizing the restaurant
as the first Food Sospeso restaurant partner. Over Greens Salads & Juice also proudly provided
catering for the event.
Support for the initiative continues to grow. During the evening, Food Sospeso received offers of
support and collaboration from Garrett Capobianco, Rotary Governor Elect of District 7230,
Michael Novakhov of the New York State Assembly, and Father Luigi Portarulo of The Basilica
of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.

Special appreciation was extended to Muhittin Ahmet Yazal, Turkish Ambassador and Consul
General, and the Turkish House for hosting the event and supporting dialogue around
humanitarian innovation and community collaboration.

 

The organizers would also like to express sincere appreciation to the sponsors who generously
provided prizes for the evening raffle:
 TRIFECTA MED GROUP
 Manhasset Dental Arts
 Tito Rad’s Grill – Filipino Restaurant
Their support contributed greatly to the success and spirit of the evening.

“We believe technology can reconnect communities through dignity, transparency, and direct
local impact,” said Alexander Litvinov, President of Food Sospeso Inc. “Food Sospeso is not
simply a donation platform — it is a movement that strengthens local restaurants, empowers
community organizations, and helps ensure that no one is forgotten.”
Food Sospeso plans to continue expanding partnerships with restaurants, Rotary clubs, nonprofit
organizations, faith institutions, and public officials throughout New York City and beyond.

 

For partnership opportunities or additional information:
Food Sospeso
Website: foodsospeso.org
Email: info@foodsospeso.org
Restaurant and community partnership inquiries:
Alexander Litvinov
President, Food Sospeso Inc.
+1 (917) 963-5724
About Food Sospeso
Food Sospeso is a Rotary Club of New York initiative and nonprofit humanitarian platform using
technology to connect restaurants, donors, and verified community organizations in the fight
against food insecurity. Through prepaid meals, QR-code donations, and transparent distribution
systems, Food Sospeso helps deliver dignified, nutritious meals to individuals and families in
need while strengthening local communities and supporting participating restaurants.
GOOD TO GIVE