National Mah Jongg League Donates $450,000 Truck to Food Bank For NYC

November 25, 2025 | By Madison Rubert

A bright new truck rolled into the South Bronx Tuesday morning for a special mobile pantry distribution on Longwood Avenue—bringing more than food. It brought New Yorkers the chance to gather, share, and connect around a table.

Food Bank For NYC unveiled the National Mah Jongg League Truck, donated by Bronx-born brothers Larry and David Unger, whose $450,000 gift will help deliver nutritious meals through the organization’s network of 800 pantry partners citywide.

The League has gathered people around tables since 1937, building a community now more than 350,000 members strong. Food Bank For NYC does the same—only with warm meals distributed across all five boroughs.

For philanthropists Larry and David, this gift is deeply personal. They grew up in the Bronx and are committed to giving back to the communities that shaped their lives.

“Coming together with Larry and David today, who treasure and feel deeply connected to the legacy of the Bronx, to make sure that people can gather around tables and have access to good, nutritious food,” said Leslie Gordon, CEO of Food Bank For NYC. “What could be better?”

Families Are Still Recovering

One in three children in the Bronx struggles with food insecurity. Five South Bronx communities face the highest need in the city, and with lingering impacts from government shutdowns and SNAP delays, many families are still working to recover.

Larry and David volunteered alongside Food Bank staff, distributing turkey, ham, cornmeal, grapes, black figs, Brussels sprouts, spinach, eggs, and more. With music playing and client-choice pickup, families selected the foods that best suited their needs. Mobile pantries like this operate 15 times per month, providing fresh produce, shelf-stable goods, and culturally relevant items.

“We’re really grateful because it shows there are people out there looking out for the community, especially in the Bronx,” said Melissa Pino, Senior Manager of the Mobile Pantry program.

“Don’t Be Embarrassed”

Among the 300 families served was Walter King, a Culinary Institute of America graduate who has worked in several five-star NYC restaurants. Job losses in hospitality have affected him multiple times—after 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and COVID-19. Each time, he shared, recovery took more than a year and a half.

“You know it’s not your fault, but you have to live with it,” King said as he picked up pastrami and figs for his Thanksgiving meal. His advice to others waiting in line: “Don’t be embarrassed. You have to have that safety net.”

Mobile pantries help turn difficult choices—like paying rent or buying groceries—into manageable possibilities. “It helps save some money,” King added. “Food ain’t cheap.”

More Than a Truck

The National Mah Jongg League Truck is more than a delivery vehicle. It is a symbol of connection and community—whether it’s the connection formed around a game of Mah Jongg or the connection created by sharing a warm meal.

“The National Mah Jongg League has connected people for decades,” said CEO Leslie Gordon. “Today, that same spirit of gathering and generosity is helping families sit at tables, share meals, and feel a sense of dignity and hope this holiday season.”