New Yorkers Unite Over Food and Jobs: Meet EV Loves NYC's Mission-Driven Team
In the heart of Manhattan's East Village, a nonprofit organization is fueling careers and feeding the hungry. EV Loves NYC, short for its East Village base, has become a beacon of hope for New Yorkers struggling with food insecurity. The group's mission is to build community through various support services, including a weekly commissary kitchen and job training programs.
The operation, run by Operations Manager Diamy Bah, brings people together over delicious food from around the world. "My job is something where, when you go home, you are so proud of what you did during the day because you are helping people," says Bah, who describes the community as a "family." Some regulars attend not just for sustenance but also to connect with like-minded individuals.
EV Loves NYC operates two main programs. On Sundays, its community-commissary kitchen in the Lower East Side Girls Club serves 2,000 to 2,500 meals per week. The following Monday through Friday, the group offers job training through Cafewal, equipping residents with skills for restaurant work and long-term employment beyond the industry.
"We see New York as a sanctuary city," says Ann Shields, communications director at EV Loves NYC. "It's where people come to escape but also find new beginnings." The organization has achieved this vision by creating a tight-knit community of New Yorkers, regardless of their background or immigration status.
Since its founding in 2020, EV Loves NYC has made significant strides. In 2025 alone, the group provided over 150,000 nutrient-dense hot meals to food-insecure New Yorkers. To date, the organization has served more than 675,000 hot meals and distributed over nine million pounds of groceries.
As Executive Director Tyler Hefferon notes, "Our current total since April 2020 is a testament to our community's resilience and dedication."
In the heart of Manhattan's East Village, a nonprofit organization is fueling careers and feeding the hungry. EV Loves NYC, short for its East Village base, has become a beacon of hope for New Yorkers struggling with food insecurity. The group's mission is to build community through various support services, including a weekly commissary kitchen and job training programs.
The operation, run by Operations Manager Diamy Bah, brings people together over delicious food from around the world. "My job is something where, when you go home, you are so proud of what you did during the day because you are helping people," says Bah, who describes the community as a "family." Some regulars attend not just for sustenance but also to connect with like-minded individuals.
EV Loves NYC operates two main programs. On Sundays, its community-commissary kitchen in the Lower East Side Girls Club serves 2,000 to 2,500 meals per week. The following Monday through Friday, the group offers job training through Cafewal, equipping residents with skills for restaurant work and long-term employment beyond the industry.
"We see New York as a sanctuary city," says Ann Shields, communications director at EV Loves NYC. "It's where people come to escape but also find new beginnings." The organization has achieved this vision by creating a tight-knit community of New Yorkers, regardless of their background or immigration status.
Since its founding in 2020, EV Loves NYC has made significant strides. In 2025 alone, the group provided over 150,000 nutrient-dense hot meals to food-insecure New Yorkers. To date, the organization has served more than 675,000 hot meals and distributed over nine million pounds of groceries.
As Executive Director Tyler Hefferon notes, "Our current total since April 2020 is a testament to our community's resilience and dedication."
I think it's really cool that EV Loves NYC is bringing people together over food. Like, who doesn't love eating? 
It's not just about the meals though, it's about building a community where people can connect with each other and feel like they belong. The fact that they have job training programs too is amazing, because it shows that they care about helping people get back on their feet. I mean, it's easy to get stuck in a rut when you're struggling financially, but these guys are offering a way out. And the best part is, they're not just serving food, they're serving hope 
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! I mean, can you believe they're serving over 150k meals alone last year?! 
They really are the real MVPs. And it's not just about the food, they're building a community that's all about love and support for one another 
. I'm so inspired by Diamy Bah and her team, they're doing amazing work! 
! How amazing that they're not just feeding people but also giving them a sense of belonging? It's like, their Sunday commissary kitchen is the heart of the city, where everyone comes together to share food and stories 
. And can we talk about their job training programs? That's total game-changer stuff 
! I mean, who wouldn't want to learn how to run a restaurant and build long-term careers? It's like they're giving people a safety net in the big city 
. I'm loving how inclusive this org is too - it doesn't care about where you're from or what you do, just that you need a helping hand 
. They're literally changing lives, one hot meal at a time 
I love that EV Loves NYC is building this family vibe in the East Village. It's amazing how food can bring people together like that. They're doing some great job training programs too, it's awesome that they're helping people gain skills for long-term employment. 
ann shields said new york is a sanctuary city & i'm living proof - my fam moved here last year & we're struggling to make ends meet but ev loves nyc stepped in with job training & resources & now im working part time at a cafe 
tyler hefferon's words on resilience & dedication gave me chills too 