María Méndez is waiting in the snow to receive her pantry. She is one of about 500 people who receive food each day on New Utrecht Street in Borough Park.
“I have two children and I lost my job during the pandemic. I am working temporary days and this has helped me a lot and has collaborated with my family,” explains Méndez.
The non-profit organization Masbia has been helping people in need every day for 10 years.
And now, to avoid long lines, they have implemented an appointment system and thus when the person arrives they place products on the table that that person can choose from.
Ruben Díaz, is administrator of Masbia Borough Park: “In the system we are going to see it here and the person has to arrive at the time it is. They have the possibility to come once a week and we have here open 24 hours, from from Sunday to Thursday”.
And the need is such that this organization increased its help during the pandemic. Currently, they issue about 2,500 appointments per week
The increase in help from this organization was 500%, to such an extent that they had to open their 24-hour appointment system.
“There are families who arrive at two in the morning because, suddenly, they need to pay the rent but suddenly they do not have enough to buy food,” details its administrator.
In Hebrew, Masbia means to satiate and it also has another center in Flatbush and one in Queens.
This entity operates, mainly, thanks to private donations and they plan to continue growing on the eve of Easter.
“We realized that people really need a break. At least, by giving them food they have a break to pay the other bills,” says Díaz.
In case you need help and want to collect food from this center, you must send a text message containing the word FOOD to 726879.
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