A Shared Table: Unapologetic Foods Team Volunteers at SACSS
Food can tell a story, preserve a culture, bring people together and, at its most fundamental, nourish a community.
That shared belief brought the team at Unapologetic Foods to SACSS recently for a firsthand look at the work happening every day to support underserved New Yorkers.
Known for some of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants, including Semma, Dhamaka, and Adda, Unapologetic Foods has built its reputation around food, hospitality, and storytelling, shining a light on heritage cuisines and traditions that have too often gone unheard.
That commitment to community extends beyond the restaurant table. The Unapologetic Foods team has embraced the role of SACSS ambassadors, with a particular focus on supporting the SACSS Food Pantry.
During the visit, Co-founder and CEO Roni Mazumdar shared his appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with SACSS and contribute to its work supporting underserved New Yorkers.
SACSS Founder Sudha Acharya led the team on a tour of the office, offering a glimpse into the many services taking place under one roof.
And it was a particularly busy day.
At the Food Pantry, staff and volunteers were packing and distributing groceries. Across the office, SACSS staff were helping community members navigate healthcare and family services. At the Senior Center, older adults were enjoying group discussions, Antakshari, and lunch.
Meanwhile, SACSS was hosting a free health camp for underserved New Yorkers in collaboration with SOMOS and United Way.
It was a snapshot of SACSS at its best; multiple programs, hundreds of needs, and a dedicated team working simultaneously to connect people with food, healthcare, social services, and community.
After seeing the breadth of SACSS programs firsthand, the Unapologetic Foods team didn’t just observe, they rolled up their sleeves.
They joined Food Pantry staff and volunteers, helping pack and distribute groceries to community members. Roni got particularly hands-on with the rice bags, even receiving a quick tutorial from a pantry volunteer on how to open the large, sewn bags more efficiently. A little good-natured learning while getting down to the business of feeding a community!
The moment captured the spirit of the visit: two organizations connected by food, culture, hospitality, and a belief in community, coming together not simply to talk about giving back, but to do the work.
For Unapologetic Foods, food is a way to celebrate heritage, tell stories, and create connections. At SACSS, food is a critical lifeline for thousands of New Yorkers who rely on the Food Pantry for nutritious, culturally relevant groceries.
Together, the partnership celebrates the power of food while helping ensure that everyone has a place at the table.
SACSS is deeply grateful to the Unapologetic Foods team for spending the day with us, volunteering alongside our pantry team, and continuing to champion our mission to support underserved communities across New York City.