The CB7 Food Drive ended yesterday (although they will accept donations until 2 PM today), and the drive collected about three boxes of food. I'm sure it would have been more if life and activities and the business of the ever-approaching holidays weren't tugging at the minutes and hours of our days. When I dropped stuff off, there wasn't even one box full, so I was glad to hear that three boxes had been filled.
The Center for Family Life will be receiving the CB7 boxes of food for its food pantry located at 5505 4th Avenue. The Salvation Army, at 520 50th Street also provides food to those in need.
Another local food pantry is at Trinity Lutheran Church. The office is at 411 46th Street (corner of 4th Avenue). Trinity accepts donations of non-perishable foods Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Those of us who are not in line for food should feel thankful. I propose we show our thanks by sharing what we have. It sounds goofy and preachy, I know. And I'm preaching to myself as much as to anyone else. But passing by that line of people waiting for food outside Methodist Episcopal/Iglesia Luz del Mundo on 4th and 47th is deeply humbling, especially as a parent. They distribute food on Thursdays from 4:30 PM - 6 PM (or 5:30-7, depending on who is giving information), and there has been a block-long line before 4 PM for many Thursdays.
If you are able to give something during these queasy economic times, please do. Buy two boxes of pasta on sale and give one of them. Pick up a few cans of tuna or a few jars of tomato sauce to donate. How about black beans or baked beans? A bag of rice or some canned fruit? The next time you order in or go out to eat, spend that much on non-perishables to bring over to one of the above locations. Relatively painless to you, helpful to them. Unfortunately, I think the heightened need will be there for a long, long time.
You can search for pantries close to you for donations or receiving help here. The Food Bank of NYC is a great place to make a cash donation as well.
Here are some links to articles/posts about food pantries around Brooklyn and NYC:
Today's Daily News
NewYorkShitty's Great Post about the Soup Kitchen at the Greenpoint Reformed Church
from June Crain's NY Business
NYTimes Articles:
The Executive Director of the NYC Coalition Against Hunger Answers Questions
Pantries and Kitchens are Struggling - this was from a year ago!
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