Rockaway Recovery

We spent the afternoon in Far Rockaway.

Several communities in the region were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. This one desperately needs our help.

Many residents of Far Rockaway have limited resources in the best of times. Since the storm hit, they have been without power, without heat, and sometimes, without food. People there told us homes are being looted for food and supplies.  Local charities are working as hard as they can. But ongoing power outages have prevented grocery stores and other businesses from reopening and it will be at least another week before power is restored to the area.

We arrived with hot meals for more than 200 people, donated by local restaurants in our area. These were gone within an hour, leaving dozens waiting in the cold. Most people arrived with small children. They told us that this was their first hot meal in nearly a week.

We originally learned about the need in Far Rockaway from New York Communities for Change, who connected us to a local councilman’s office. Here’s what both of them said are the most effective ways to support this community. (There are ways you can help, no matter where you live.)

Donate Cash

New York Communities For Change (NYCC) has started a fundraising page. Go here to donate cash, which will serve Far Rockaway and other hard-hit areas.

http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=13028&url=nycommuni

Donate Food and Supplies

The people of Far Rockaway urgently need:

·      Ready-to-eat and canned foods like bread, peanut butter, crackers, tuna, cereal and snacks

·      Diapers

·      Baby wipes

·      Baby formula

·      Flashlights and batteries

·      Water

*The biggest need right now next to food is diapers and formula

The NYCC office at 2-4 Nevins Street (between Flatbush & Livingston), 2^nd Fl, Brooklyn NY 11217, is collecting donations and transporting them to Far Rockaway twice a day. Stop by between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Have a car? NYCC also needs help to transport donations. Contact Olivia Leirer with NYCC at oleirer@nycommunities.org for more information.

Or, fill a car with donations from friends and deliver these items yourself to:

City Council Member James Sanders’ Office

15-26 Central Avenue #2

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Deliver Hot Meals

Hot food is at a premium right now for the people of Far Rockaway. We reached out to local Brooklyn restaurants, and to our amazement, every single one graciously donated an abundance of food:

·     Bogota Latin Bistro

·      El Viejo Yayo

·      La Villa Pizzeria

·      Peppino’s Brick Oven Pizza & Restaurant

·      Pizza Cotta Bene

·      Sheep Station

We are grateful to all of them for their generosity!

Please reach out to restaurants near you to see if they can do the same. Home-cooked meals or sandwiches are also appreciated. The more you can bring, the better.

All hot or prepared meals can be taken to:

Church of the Nazarene

1414 Central Avenue

Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Any questions about donating or delivering hot meals, please call Donovan Richards with City Council Member James Sanders’ Office at (347) 426-7961 or Rev. Samuel M. Reid at (718) 327-5242.

Volunteer

The Church of the Nazarene needs people as well as supplies. Come by to volunteer in the neighborhood, serve food, sort donations, and lend a hand to the people of Far Rockaway.

Mail Supplies

Can’t get to Brooklyn or Far Rockaway? Donate by ordering online! Deliveries of diapers, formula, wipes and personal hygiene products can be shipped to:

New York City Council Member James Sanders, Jr.

Attn: Donovan Richards

234-26 Merrick Blvd.

Rosedale, NY 11422

If you have any questions, please contact Courtney or Stephanie at rockawayrecovery@gmail.com.