Yorkville Common Pantry is a
truly amazing place that helps thousands of people who are homeless or living
in poverty to get the nourishment they need. What's more, over 80% of their
fresh produce is from NY state farms. They offer food pantry and meal
distribution programs, as well as, nutritional education, basic hygiene
services, homelessness support and related services to underserved communities
in East Harlem and throughout New York City. They strive at all times to
dignify the experience of their clientele and are a wonderful example of an
emergency food program that really makes a difference.
Occupy Sandy (an offshoot of the
larger Occupy movement) jumped into being and action directly following
hurricane Sandy. Concerned citizens from all over the country and all walks of
life came together to help in the immediate relief effort and now with
long-term recovery. The energy and commitment of occupy volunteers
is truly amazing to witness and the lack of bureaucracy is refreshing and
motivating. I would recommend heading out to their Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
kitchen to help prepare hot meals for people still struggling to get
back on their feet in the Rockaways, Coney and Staten Islands, and
elsewhere.
New York Cares serves
as a clearing house that connects volunteers with opportunities at over 1,300
nonprofits, city agencies and public schools in the Greater NYC area.
I recently attended their required orientation for new volunteers and I
left feeling inspired and so glad that this organization exists. Since
then, I've volunteered helping fourth graders make environmentally focused art
projects and high school juniors and seniors learn math and life skills through
cooking.
Women for Women International is a powerful organization that offers financial assistance, job training, rights education and trauma counseling to female survivors of the too oft forgotten war in the Congo. My husband and I fundraised for and ran their 5K Run for Congo Women on Roosevelt Island this past October. It was a deeply moving event and we were honored to take part.
Sustainable South Bronx helps
under-served urban communities transform themselves by addressing
environmental, economic and social concerns through green job training,
community greening programs and environmental education. My hubby and I ran the Hunt's Point Hustle 5K to support this fantastic organization.
The run was so well organized and we had a blast at the post-race
festivities.
