FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com DECEMBER 1, 2016 • The COURIER SUN 3 Howard Beach food pantry receives turkey donations from Long Island-based union By Ant hon y Giu dic e [email protected] @A_GiudiceReport Some families in need in south Queens had a happier Thanksgiving thanks to the help of a local labor union. Members of Local 338 RWDSU/ UFCW donated and delivered 250 turkeys to Our Lady of Grace’s food pantry in Howard Beach, and other food pantries across the five boroughs and Long Island as part of the union’s annual “Turkey Drive” just in time for Thanksgiving. In addition to the donation made to Our Lady of Grace, the turkeys were also brought to Project Hospitality on Staten Island, The INN in Hempstead, and a food pantry based on the campus of Suffolk County Community College, on Nov. 18. “Helping those in need is central to our mission at Local 338 and we believe in doing what we can to support those less fortunate,” said John R. Durso, president of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW. “Many families in the communities that we live and work in rely on local charities and food pantries to make ends meet and we are proud to make these donations to help them have a wonderful Thanksgiving.” The donated turkeys will help Members of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW donated turkeys to the Our Lady of Grace food pantry in Howard Beach. provide Thanksgiving meals or distributed directly to families in need who are served by these charities. “Once again, Local 338 has shown its generosity and thoughtfulness towards those in need during the Thanksgiving holiday by donating turkeys to a local food pantry in my district,” said state Senator Joseph Addabbo. “I am thankful for Local 338 contacting my office and making the special delivery. Since 2002, I have truly appreciated my working relationship with Local 338 and the efforts of their dedicated members.” A ‘HEAP’ of help to pay your heating bills this winter By Suzan e Mont everdi [email protected] @smont76 Winter is coming, and it comes with the ever-increasing cost of heating your home. Fortunately, for those Queens residents struggling to make ends meet, there’s help available to keep them warm all season long. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters afford heating fuel. Those eligible can receive up to several hundred dollars per year to defray heating costs. Borough President Melinda Katz encourages interested parties to visit her office at Queens Borough Hall (Room 225) on Mondays or Wednesdays (excluding holidays) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Applicants must bring a copy of a recent utility bill, documentation verifying their income and rent and the date of birth and social security number of each household member. No appointments will be accepted, and applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Multilanguage assistance is available. A complete checklist of required documentation can be found here. This year, a family of four with a gross monthly income of $4,423 or less can receive HEAP benefits. The gross monthly income threshold increases or decreases depending on size of the household. Eligibility for HEAP benefits is based on a point system which factors in household income, percent of income spent on energy and presence of children under six or adults older than 60. Applicants must apply for HEAP benefits annually. “Queens has experienced some rough winters in recent years,” Katz said. “Winter temperatures are just uncomfortable for most of us, but they can be harmful and even deadly to the elderly and to other vulnerable people. Fortunately, those who may not be able to afford to heat their homes can apply to HEAP for important and potentially life-saving financial assistance that will allow them to pay their winter heating bills. I urge all Queens residents who are struggling to pay their heating bills to take advantage of this vitally important program.” For more information about the program, contact the borough president’s office at 718-286-2899 or the city’s HEAP hotline at 800-692- 0557. “Helping those in need is central to our mission at Local 338 and we believe in doing what we can to support those less fortunate.” John R. Durso President of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW “I urge all Queens residents who are struggling to pay their heating bills to take advantage of this vitally important program.” Melinda Katz Borough President Photo courtesy of Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW
SC12012016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above