FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
The Diocese of Brooklyn Press Office is sharing this media advisory on behalf of our colleagues at Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens regarding an Emergency Pop-Up Food Pantry event taking place at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to Distribute Bags of Food at an Emergency Pop-Up Food Pantry in Sunset Park, Brooklyn for Neighborhood Severely Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic
WHAT: Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens will distribute bags of food at an Emergency Pop-Up Food Pantry in Sunset Park at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church located at 345 43rd Street in Brooklyn on Friday, May 8, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with Bishop-elect Kevin Sweeney, for a neighborhood severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the New York City Department of Health, as of May 3, Brooklyn has seen 45,341 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 4,080 reported deaths, the second largest number of cases in New York City. Brooklyn and Queens account for nearly 60 percent of all COVID-19 cases in the New York metropolitan area.
Since March 24 Catholic Charities has:
- Provided over 53,800 meals at emergency Pop-Up Food Distributions in Brooklyn and Queens.
- Provided over 100,000 meals at our food pantries.
- Witnessed a massive 200 percent increase in demand for food at our existing food pantries.
On Friday, May 8, Catholic Charities will hand out:
- 1,500 bags of food
- Each bag consists of 3 meals for a family of three
- A total of nearly 13,500 meals
- Individuals will receive access to supportive services via our call center and behavioral health services via telehealth.
- Additional assistance, information and resources, including outreach material encouraging participants to self-respond to the 2020 Census
Photography and interviews will be available with Bishop-elect Kevin Sweeney. Please contact Lucy Garrido-Mota at Lucy.garrido-m
The Emergency Pop-Up Food Distribution is organized and funded by Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens as a direct response to our neighbors in need in both boroughs. To help, donate to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens at www.ccbq.org.
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