Groundbreaking event held for nonprofit God's Love expansion

To mark the official launch of their expansion project, God's Love We Deliver, a SoHo-based nonprofit that cooks and delivers meals to people living with severe illnesses in the metropolitan area, held a groundbreaking event with famed comedienne Joan Rivers and fashion designer Michael Kors, both longtime supporters of the organization. The God's Love expansion project will more than double both the organization's space - from 18,000 s/f to 44,000 s/f - and its capacity to prepare meals - from one to two million meals a year. When completed, the new facility will include a new state-of-the art commercial kitchen, an expanded delivery and pack-out area, an enclosed loading dock and greatly increased refrigeration and freezer space. "Today marks the beginning of a project of great significance to not only all of us at God's Love, but to a growing number of people across the metropolitan area who rely on our services," said Karen Pearl, president & CEO of God's Love We Deliver. "We are thrilled to be taking this important step to better serve the most vulnerable people in our community, and honored to mark this milestone for our organization with many of the people who made it all possible." The God's Love expansion project was made possible - in part - by a city grant and private gifts, including $5 million from Michael Kors, who was named to the God's Love Board of Directors earlier this year. In recognition of Kors' contribution to the expansion project, the new facility, which was designed by Gerner Kronick and Valcarcel, will be named in his honor. Signifying the start of construction at the God's Love 166 Avenue of the Americas facility, guests of the ceremony used giant knives to cut an equally-giant cake, donated by Lulu Cakes, a boutique bakery in Scarsdale, NY, specializing in ornate custom cakes. "I've loved and worked for God's Love We Deliver for many years, and I know how important their nutritious, individually tailored meals are for our neighbors who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves," said Joan Rivers. "Today's expansion is the beginning step toward fulfilling a dream for all of us associated with this wonderful charity." "I am so excited to be here today to break ground on the Michael Kors Building for God's Love We Deliver," said Michael Kors. "I've been working with God's Love for over 20 years now, and I've always been amazed by the work that they do. With this expansion, I know that we can help feed even more people and continue to reach all of those in need." The God's Love expansion, which is expected to be completed in late 2014 or early 2015, comes as demand for the organization's services is up by more than 60% in five years. Without a significant increase in space in the immediate future, God's Love would - for the first time in the organization's 28 years - be forced to have a waiting list for clients. "The City Council is proud to support this expansion that will provide increased kitchen space, additional nutrition education workshops, and welcome more volunteers," said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, a longtime advocate for God's Love. "I want to thank and congratulate everyone who worked to make sure God's Love We Deliver will continue their mission of feeding thousands of hungry New Yorkers every day." During the renovation period, God's Love has temporarily relocated to the South Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, so that the organization's services may continue uninterrupted.