Five ways to give back in Queens this holiday season
/
Queens Assemblymember David Weprin collected and distributed hundreds of new toys during last year’s toy drive. Photo courtesy of David Weprin.
By Victoria Merlino
The holiday season is not only a time of family, friends and joy, but of feeling thankful for all you have. If you’re interested in doing some good this holiday season and spreading the cheer, here are five good causes in Queens to consider:
City Harvest
City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue operation, has a massive holiday operation that begins months before November begins. In its Food Rescue Facility in Long Island City, volunteers sort repack thousands of pounds of produce into family-sized portions.
New York Irish Center
In the wake of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, this Long Island City center devoted to Irish culture hosted a “Shoe Box Factory” that created gifts for kids and family in the most affected areas of the Rockaways during the holiday season with a volunteer force of “elves.” Since then, the New York Irish Center has kept up the tradition, and it is looking for volunteers to make and deliver gifts on Dec. 7. To volunteer, email Stephen@NewYorkIrishCenter.org with the subject line “Elf.”
Sutphin Boulevard BID and the Grace Church Soup Kitchen
The Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District is seeking volunteers to distribute meals on Thanksgiving, as first reported by Patch. The BID is also partnering with the Grace Church Soup Kitchen to deliver hot meals on Thanksgiving, and is looking for volunteers. Email sutphinblvdbid@verizon.net for more information.
Borough Hall Toy Drive
Borough President Melinda Katz is hosting a holiday toy drive at Queens Borough Hall in Kew Gardens. From now until Dec. 18, residents can drop off new, unwrapped toys to donate to children in need. At the end of the drive, the toys will be delivered to the Battalion Pentecostal Assembly Church in Far Rockaway and St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children in Bayside to be distributed.
Masbia of Queens
Masbia is a network of soup kitchens located in Forest Hills and parts of Brooklyn that serves kosher food to those in need. To learn more about how to pitch in, visit masbia.org/volunteer_signup.
