Jan 152013
 

If you’ve recently donated to Reaching-Out Community Services aka the Dyker Heights -Bensonhurst Food Pantry, then the above video should be in your email inbox.

During the five minute segment, various disaster relief groups, private sector volunteers, and community leaders including State Senator Marty Golden and Reaching-Out’s executive director Thomas Neve join Gerritsen Beach Cares to speak out for people whose lives have yet to return to normal well over two months since Superstorm Sandy wrought havoc on coastal communities.

If you’d like to support continued aid for hurricane victims in Gerritsen Beach, please call (347) 585-8630. For more information on Reaching-Out Community Services, please visit rcsprograms.org or call (718) 373-4565.

Dec 202012
 
Occupy Sandy Bay Ridge Kitchen

Image source: Facebook.com.

The call went out yesterday on Occupy Sandy’s website that the relief group’s Bay Ridge Kitchen is running low on both food and supplies.

Fortunately for hurricane victims who rely on the 2000+ meals prepared daily at St. Johns Episcopal Church [461 99th Street], donating has never been easier.

As of yesterday, “orders of fresh, organic, natural, and locally produced food items can be made through FreshDirect.com and shipped directly” to St. Johns!

Ship to:

St. John’s Episcopal Church
461 99th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11209

Are you strapped for time and not sure what food items to purchase? No Problem! Donors can also buy a gift card online and simply email it to SandyBayRidge@Interoccupy.net.

If you’d like to inquire about volunteer work or in-person donations, please check out their Faceboook page, as well as interoccupy.net. You can also call (347) 465-7430 or email SandyBayRidge@interoccupy.net.

Dec 142012
 

Image source: Facebook.com.

The above photo shows volunteers hard at work in Occupy Sandy’s Bay Ridge kitchen at St. John’s Episcopal Church [461 99th Street].

If you’d like to inquire about volunteer work or donations, please check out their Faceboook page, as well as interoccupy.net. You can also call (347) 465-7430 or email SandyBayRidge@interoccupy.net.

Dec 122012
 

Fort Hamilton’s Community Club (Image source: Wikipedia).

According to one local activist, Fort Hamilton has proven itself to be a vital facility for relief operations in the wake of Superstorm Sandy – leaving no doubt to the Army base’s importance during a future disaster or terrorist attack, as reported by Paula Katinas for Brooklyn Eagle.

Bill Guarinello, chairman of the Fort Hamilton Citizens Action Committee – as well as Bensonhurst’s Community Board 11, was paraphrased by Katinas as saying that the quick action and organization of base commander Colonel Eluyn Gines in the aftermath of Sandy – taken together with the fact that the installation served as a staging and support area for National Guard troops, should save it from the chopping block Continue reading »

Dec 112012
 

In this truly heartwarming story by BKIndependentTV, Bay Ridge Cares cooks nourishing meals for residents of areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy.

The video shows how with their volunteer-staffed kitchen at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church [81st Street and Ridge Blvd], Bay Ridge Cares provides hot meals and desserts for the Occupy Sandy supply network – which also includes a larger kitchen at St. John’s Episcopal Church [9818 Fort Hamilton Pkwy].

City Councilman Vincent Gentile’s Communications Director and Bay Ridge Cares co-creator Justin Brannan makes an appearance to discuss how he, local chef Allison Robicelli, Karen Tadross, and Father Michael Ellias collaborated to make the kitchen a reality.

According to Tadross, the Bay Ridge Cares kitchen at St. Mary’s – which began operations in mid November and prepares 800 meals a day six days a week, will be helping victims of Hurricane Sandy until at least December 15.

For more info about donations or volunteer opportunities at Bay Ridge Cares, please check out their Facebook page.

Nov 272012
 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (Image source: Wikipedia Commons).

At a press conference yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo placed the monetary value of Hurricane Sandy’s damage to New York State at $32 billion. That figure does not include an additional request of over $9 billion in federal funds for future mitigation and prevention efforts, as reported by Michael Gormley for the Associated Press.

“It’s common sense; it’s intelligent,” Cuomo said. “Why don’t you spend some money now to save money in the future? And that’s what prevention and mitigation is.” Continue reading »