March 16, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
The Long Island City community is coming together to help those in need following the outbreak of the corona virus.
Starting today, the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy is teaming up with New City Church NYC and Bishop Mitchell Taylor’s Urban Upbound to open a LIC Emergency Food Pantry at 10-54 47th Ave.
The space belongs to New York City Church and organizers say the food pantry will be open daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for those in need of food and other items.
Organizers are appealing to residents, business owners and restaurants for financial donations or donations such as non-perishable foods. All money raised will go toward purchasing supplies and food.
“If you are out of something or you can’t afford something it’s our duty to all come together as a community to make sure no one is going without the essentials that they need,” said Kelly Craig, co-vice president of the PS/IS 78Q PTA.
“People are getting laid off, bars and restaurants are closing so people are going to be without money to purchase items until we can get things back up and running,” Craig said.
Many families are reliant on school lunches for food and because all NYC schools are shut until April 20 at the earliest, the food pantry will be working with restaurants to offer free “grab and go” lunchtime meals for families affected, she said.
Manducatis Rustica at 46-35 Vernon Blvd. will be cooking food to help keep the pantry stocked
Local restaurants Little Chef Little Cafe and Manducatis Rustica have already agreed to cook food for the pantry.
Deliveries are also being organized for the elderly who cannot make it to the pantry and organizers are also appealing for volunteers to work shifts or for drivers to make delivery runs if they have access to private transport.
“We are going to do runs out to Queensbridge and Ravenswood to make sure they have everything they need,” Craig said.
Financial donations can be made by click on this link..
People looking to volunteer or those in need of home deliveries can contact Kelly Craig on 727-422-6939, email at Kelly@psis78pta.org or via the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy Facebook page.
Patrick Thompson, from New City Church NYC, can be contacted at Patrick@new-citychurch.com.
Any supplies or monies left over at the end of the crisis will be donated to homeless shelters.
Featured Events
4 Comments
I am director of marketing for Juice Press and our super kitchen is located in the Falchi Building in LIC. We would like to know if we can be helpful with food supply.
I would like to thank Brent and his colleagues for bringing me food when I needed it. It wasn’t much but my family and I were able to have 2 meals. I am disabled and it is hard for me to get around.
We really appreciate your assistance in helping us. Please be safe and God Bless you all.
Thank you and bless you for your generosity and assistance.
Half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. There are about to be millions of unprepared and desperate people out there.