Generous Community Response To Holiday Food Drive Draws in Over 3,000 Canned Goods
On Tuesday, December 21st, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer continued distributing collected canned goods from his first Holiday Food Drive with the Center of Hope Food Pantry in Queensbridge and the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Astoria. The month-long food drive collection brought in over 3,000 canned goods and non-perishable food items to help local food pantries supply food for families in need this holiday season.
To kick off the distribution efforts Council Member Van Bramer joined President and Founder of the East River Development Alliance and Senior Pastor at the Center of Hope International Bishop Mitchell Taylor at Center of Hope Food Pantry to help community volunteers' pack and distribute the donated items to local families in Queensbridge. Council Member Van Bramer's hands-on efforts continued at the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Astoria, where he also joined local volunteers to help pack and bag donated items for their weekly distribution. Distribution efforts will continue throughout the week and the Holiday Food Drive is expected to be an annual event.
"Economic hardship should never lead to hunger in our communities," said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. "I would like to thank our local food pantries and volunteers for all of their hard work and dedication and our generous community for extending their hearts this holiday season to help feed families in need."
Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, President and Founder of the East River Development Alliance and Senior Pastor at the Center of Hope International remarked, "Residents of public housing in Western Queens are very grateful for Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer's generosity this winter. Your support at our food kitchen is greatly appreciated."
