The Queens Defenders Food Pantry continues to expand to meet the needs of Queens residents who need access to healthy food.  In what began as a dedication to serve twelve families impacted by domestic violence in Far Rockaway when COVID-19 hit in March has grown to serving thousands of families throughout the Queens community. With the help of our community partners, Queens Defenders is now able to conduct both direct deliveries and large-scale food drives to provide thousands of boxes of emergency supplies each week.  

 

This major expansion in our ability to support this community is made possible thanks to our incredible donors and partners: JEWELEX, 9 Million Reasons, Food Bank for NYC, Fresh Direct, Rockaway Mutual Aid, Beach 40th Street Tenant Association, the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, Mr. Mak’s GinBao LLC, Hour Children, Rockaway Greek Council, and NYCHA. With their support, the Queens Defenders Food Pantry has grown to serve nearly 10,000 residents per month.  

 

Stanislav Khaldarov, Esq., Queens Defenders newly appointed Director of Food Justice, added, “the Queens Defenders Far Rockaway community team recognizes the need on the Rockaway peninsula for quality nutrition and the lack of access to it which many of our clients experience.  Our team works diligently to secure a variety of food on a weekly basis to ensure everyone we work with is able to sustainably provide food for their families. Our team is now focusing on working hand in hand with many community partners to create the best plan to expand our reach and serve more residents of South-east Queens. Everyone deserves to eat.” 

 

Demand for this critical program will only grow with the upcoming prolonged pandemic, which is why Queens Defenders has planned important expansions for the year ahead. We are building out a more comprehensive warehouse space with the capacity to store refrigerated items, offering more regularly scheduled food distribution events, and we are raising funds this giving season to purchase a van to assist in direct deliveries.  

 

To support the Queens Defenders Food Pantry in their efforts to get a van you can donate here and find more information on Queens Defenders website.