The second pantry that continues to work in the Jackson Heights community is Queens Temple Christian Church, Salvation Army.
Hundreds of people come here every Thursday to receive the food they need to feed their families.
“It’s very important because the situation is bad and there’s no work and that’s a help because you buy something else and then you complete the food for the house,” said Leonardo Díaz, a beneficiary.
Díaz has lived in the neighborhood for decades and has been coming for two years looking for food.
While Yoselin Montilla, who arrived four months ago from Venezuela with her husband and one-year-old daughter, learned about this place two weeks ago.
“The truth is a pretty good help because that way I could help my husband who is the only person who works, so we do it in a way to help him,” said Montilla.
The pantry has been serving the community for 23 years. According to Pastor Guillermo Di Caterina, they provide food to about 150 families weekly.
“But apart from that, we have an emergency program, especially for people who are arriving, especially immigrants, who are there every day and we see three or four families who come requesting food for emergencies,” said Pastor Guillermo DiCaterina, The Salvation Army, Queens.
According to a report published in January by the nonprofit Center for an Urban Future, which works to create policies to reduce social and economic inequality in New York City, Queens is the fourth poorest county in the entire state of New York and where more aging immigrants live.
In the last decade, the population of immigrants over the age of 65 has increased by 60 percent. Most of the immigrants come from Asia and Latin America.
Last year, the City Harvest fund stopped giving them fruits and vegetables. According to Pastor Di Caterina, they use the funds they receive from the government with which they bought other food.
“And a percentage of that money we have to invest in fruits and vegetables,” added Pastor Di Caterina.
In addition, at noon, they serve hot food to hundreds of neighbors like Noris Farfán who, apart from receiving food, has been a volunteer for seven years.
voluntary
“I am truly happy and I thank God and this country where we are,” said Noris Farfán, a volunteer.
Demand continues to grow on the streets of Jackson Heights and now more than ever these pantries need help to continue serving this community.
For donations visit the website SalvationArmyNY.org
