WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES APRIL 23, 2020 7
Catholic Charities and Queens provided 1,000 families and individuals with a bag of food at its second Pop-Up food distribution in Corona on April 17.
Courtesy of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens serves
1,000 families at second food distribution event
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
CMOHAMED@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Following the success of its fi rst
pop-up food distribution event
in Corona to help those who are
struggling during the coronavirus
pandemic, Catholic Charities Brooklyn
and Queens hosted a second grab-andgo
style event in the community on
April 17.
Catholic Charities provided 1,000
families and individuals with bags of
food that will feed a family of three
for three days. The event was held at
Catholic Charities Therese Cervini
Early Childhood Development Center
located at 35-33 104th St.
The organization also provided
access to additional assistance, information
and resources, including
outreach material encouraging an
already undercounted neighborhood
to participate in and self-respond to the
2020 Census.
“We are pushing for the 2020 Census,”
said Richard Slizeski, senior vice
president for Mission, Catholic Charities
Brooklyn and Queens. “As we all
know, if you’re counted by the Census,
that means more resources will come
to your community, including better
representation in your community. We
want the community to be cognizant
of that.”
About 60 percent of the COVID-19
cases in New York City are in the boroughs
of Brooklyn and Queens. Catholic
Charities has been responding to
the hardworking immigrant families
in Corona by providing pop-up food
pantries, access to supportive services
via its call center and behavioral health
services via telehealth.
In the past week, Catholic Charities
Brooklyn and Queens has seen a 50 percent
increase in the need for hot meals
to be delivered to isolated seniors. On
average, the agency distributes 5,000
meals, but as a result of the coronavirus
outbreak, the organization is delivering
8,000 meals weekly.
Food pantry distributions have also
increased.
On average, the agency distributes
83,000 meals per month within its
food pantry network. Last week,
Catholic Charities saw a 20 percent
increase across its 20-parish-based
food pantries.
The Pop-Up Food Distribution is
organized and funded by Catholic
Charities Brooklyn and Queens as a
direct response to neighbors in need
in both boroughs. To donate to Catholic
Charities Brooklyn and Queens, visit
www.ccbq.org.
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