
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Local artists have come together for a good cause.
It's called Art for Food Auction and is exactly what it sounds like.
This all started with Paul Gramigna, a 30-year-old glass blower from Queens.
As the coronavirus death toll mounted and the economic crisis deepened, Gramigna wanted to help.
"So I was like, 'Well, I make art,'" Gramigna said.
He started selling his pieces at auction on Instagram and now there are 60 artists donating work.
The proceeds go to the Food Bank for New York City.
"Their goal specific for this current time period is to raise 15 million meals. I think $1 is equivalent to five meals with the food bank," said Gramigna.
The need hit close to home.
"I have friends who are using food stamps, I have friends whose parents lost their jobs," he said.
So far the auction has raised more than $11,000 and a stranger offered to match every dollar up to $25,000.