A FreshDirect driver loads boxes into his truck in New York. Associated Press / Mark Lennihan
Caribbean Life, March 27-April 2, 2020 3
By Nelson A. King
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Consul General to the United States
Howie Prince says the Consulate
General in midtown Manhattan
will be closed to in-person business
until further notice in the wake of
the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“As a result of the PAHO (Pan
American Health Organization)
declared pandemic caused by the
novel coronavirus and in keeping
with the advisories regarding social
distancing to curtail the spread
from the Center for Disease Control
(CDC), as well as those of the Governor
of the State of New York and the
Mayor’s Office of NYC, we hereby
announce that the Consulate General
of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
to the USA will be closed to
in-person business from Wednesday,
March, 18, 2020 until further
notice,” said Prince in a statement.
“During the period of closure,
applications for passports can be
made via mail,” he said. “Applicants
are encouraged to include
an additional US$21.00 to have the
completed passport returned to the
applicant by FedEx.”
Prince said applicants for Emergency
Travel Documents can be
made via email to vinsof@svgconsulateny.
org.
“Please include a telephone
number where we can reach you
to help in expediting your application,”
he said. “We will monitor the
situation regarding the return to
normalcy and will move to resume
normal business practices as soon
as it is rendered safe to do so.”
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Consul General to the United
States is located at 801 Second Ave.,
Fourth Floor, New York, NY, 10017.
By Tangerine Clarke
Food giant, FreshDirect has announced
that it will rollout thousands of grocery
boxes to New Yorkers in need, starting
March 24, in operation 5 Borough Food
Drive, a citywide initiative to assist new
Yorkers in need. The program will run
from Monday through Friday, weekly,
during the coronavirus pandemic.
Each box, which is being provided free
of charge by FreshDirect, will contain
rice, 2 bags, 16oz, pasta, 2 boxes, 16oz,
canned beans, 2 cans, 10-16oz, canned
meat/Fish, 2 cans, 3 to 5 oz, canned vegetable,
2 cans, 8 to 15 oz, raisins / dry fruit,
4 boxes, 2 oz per box, cereal/oatmeal, 1
Box, 10 to 20 oz, milk / Milk Substitute, 1
container, 32 oz, Corn, 2 ears, 2 Potatoes,
1 Onion, 1 Carrot, Orange / Apple, 2 in
total. In addition, Nestle Waters is donating
80,000 gallons of water and Boar’s
Head will be donating 25,000 Pepperoni
Pouches to the grocery boxes.
All community outreach will be managed
by the offices of the respective
Borough President or by the partnering
organizations in consultation with Fresh-
Direct Public Affairs. Most of the items in
the box are shelf stable and will provide
some relief to families who lack immediate
access to food.
The PitCCh In Foundation, founded by
CC and Amber Sabathia, is also a partner
and will be distributing boxes to the local
Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx. In addition,
Bronx Assembly Members Marcos
Crespo and Michael Blake also provided
local sites.
“This partnership is an example of the
positive impact corporate responsibility
can have during a major public health
crisis so that we can help those most
vulnerable,” added Manhattan Borough
President Gale A. Brewer.
According to the office of Brooklyn
Borough President, Eric Holder, Fresh-
Direct, in partnership with all five of
New York City’s Borough Presidents,
Eric Adams from Brooklyn, Gale Brewer
from Manhattan, Ruben Diaz Jr. from
the Bronx, Sharon Lee from Queens and
James Oddo from Staten Island, titled
“Operation 5-Borough Food Drive,” a citywide
food drive will help New York families
in need.
“In times of great need like the one
we’re currently facing, finding creative
ways to forge public-private partnerships
that advance a common goal is of paramount
importance,” said Brooklyn Borough
President Eric Adams. “Corporate
citizenship is one way we can confront
this unprecedented public health crisis.
I’m proud to support this effort to distribute
meals to people throughout the city.”
“I want to thank FreshDirect for
being a lifeline to so many in this critical
moment,” said Bronx Borough President
Ruben Diaz Jr. “As the world comes
together to fight the spread of COVID-19,
FreshDirect is really stepping up to the
plate, supporting our trusted partners
in providing vital services to our most
vulnerable communities in their time of
most need.”
“Queens is grateful to our community
partners for stepping up and swiftly
helping to ensure the most vulnerable
families are prepared in the coming weeks
to weather the COVID-19 pandemic,”
said Queens Borough President Sharon
Lee. “Social distancing does not mean
familial isolation. We can make a bigger
impact against the curve if we act together
and act now.”
“We have seen so many community
members and organizations step up during
this difficult time. This influx of food
will surely help so many on Staten Island.
Thank you to FreshDirect and to our
partners, Catholic Charities and Community
Health Action, for making sure
this food gets to those who need it most,”
said Staten Island Borough President
James Oddo.
For more information on “The 5 Borough
Food Drive,” please visit www.freshdirect.
com/fooddrive.
FreshDirect is the Northeast’s leading
online fresh food grocer, delivering next
day, same day and on-demand directly
to customers throughout seven states,
including the New York City and Philadelphia
metropolitan areas, and the District
of Columbia.
FreshDirect says it is committed to
sourcing the freshest and best-tasting
meat, fish, produce, and specialty items
through direct relationships with suppliers,
growers, and farmers. Launched in
2002, FreshDirect is a privately held company
headquartered in Bronx, NY. For
more information, visit www.freshdirect.
com or www.foodkick.com.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Consul General to the United
States, Howie Prince.
Photoby Nelson A. King
FreshDirect to deliver
grocery boxes to the needy
SVG Consulate
closes for
in-person
business until
further notice
/fooddrive
link
link
/fooddrive
/fooddrive
link
/www.freshdirect
/www.foodkick.com
/www.freshdirect
/www.foodkick.com