Commonpoint Queens Delivers its 20,000th meal!

April 24, 2020
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jared Mintz
jmintz@commonpointqueens.org

Commonpoint Queens Delivers its 20,000th meal
United States Congressman Thomas Suozzi and
New York City Council Member Barry Grodenchik delivers meals and groceries

Queens, NY — Commonpoint Queens – formerly known as the Samuel Field Y and Central Queens Y – staff delivered their 20,000th meal today. United States Congressman Thomas Suozzi and New York City Council Member Barry Grodenchik helped deliver meals and groceries to homebound seniors.

Commonpoint Queens CEO, Danielle Ellman says, “Since our coronavirus relief efforts began 6 weeks ago, more than 20,000 meals have been delivered to homebound seniors and immunocompromised people — the impact our meal deliveries have for the older adults living in our communities is nothing short of life-saving. To be able to provide this service, in the middle of a pandemic, to the most at-risk and most vulnerable, is at the very heart of who we are and what we do.”  Ellman continued, “We could not do this without the dedication of the staff and volunteers who are making the deliveries every day, they are true heroes.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you Commonpoint Queens (Sam Field Center) for delivering 20,000 meals to the elderly and other vulnerable neighbors in our community. Working together and looking after neighbors and one another, we will get through this.” United States Congressman Thomas Suozzi.

“It was my honor to volunteer for Commonpoint Queens delivering food to residents of Eastern Queens,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik.  “I thank Commonpoint for the tens of thousands of meals that it has delivered to seniors across Queens County and for all that the agency continues to do.  I have been a leading advocate for emergency food throughout my tenure in the council, and I pledge to continue to work toward securing the funds that help feed every New Yorker who needs food assistance.”

“Words are not enough to express my gratitude for all the meals. LIFE savers! Food under the coronavirus = so needed.” Estelle

“Thank you soooooooo much. The meals are a godsend. I am confined to a wheelchair. This means a lot to us.” Susan G.

Our response to Coronavirus so far has included shifting face-to-face programming to focus on urgent needs and starting new virtual programming including:

Hunger

• Emergency food packages from our Digital Food Pantry Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, date of birth, and driver’s license or non-driver id number required.

• Prepared Meal delivery – more than 20,000 meals to date!

• Curbside pantry pick-up will be available from the Tanenbaum Family Pool, 58-25 Little Neck Pkwy, Little Neck, NY 11362. Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. To schedule a pick-up email VOvalle@CommonpointQueens.org or call 718-423-6111.

Emergency Assistance

• People in need of assistance can call (929) 255-6060 Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm or complete their online emergency assistance form at https://www.commonpointqueens.org/commonpoint-queens-emergency-assistance/

• Emergency cash assistance providing financial support to people seeking to get themselves and their families back on their feet.

• Free, remote, one-on-one financial coaching, in partnership with the Financial Coaching Corps of the Community Service Society of NY. Discuss how best to manage your finances during the COVID-19 crisis. We can assist you in identifying your financial options during the crisis and developing long-term, financial wellness skills. For more information or to make a remote appointment email ASwerdin@CommonpointQueens.org.

Phone Outreach

• Telephone support and check-in calls for vulnerable populations

• Social phone calls for isolated older New Yorkers

• Teletherapy

Remote learning and virtual classes

• ESOL classes

• Fitness activities for individuals, older adults, children, and people with developmental disabilities

• Arts programming

• HSE and Pre-HSE classes

• Digital Literacy classes

• Vocational Training classes

• Social-Emotional Learning:  Virtual tours of museums and aquariums, journaling, creative arts workshops, thoughtful discussion groups where students can drive the content, such as Girl Talk, Real World 101, and Young Men’s Finish line focus.

• Youth Leadership & Advocacy:  Ted Talks, Social Justice and Social awareness workshops, project-based learning community service activities and future artist groups are platforms where participants engage in discussions on topics that affect their local and greater communities.

• Academic Support: Tutoring, homework assistance, academic engagement, and conferences to support both students and parents during remote learning.

• Fun and Games: Uno, Charades, Kahoot, Hangman, Tik Tok Challenges and more. Interactive games provide an outlet for our students to interact with one another and decompress from the stress and pressures of their remote academic and home surroundings.

• Life Skills/Culinary Arts: basic kitchen skills, laundry, writing a check, mailing a letter, having healthy relationships, and more.

• College Access: Our College Access Counselors serve students at all of our school sites with individual support and group workshops.

Employment Assistance

• Job Placement and Career Assistance.

Work Readiness/Career Exploration: Hard & Soft Employment skill workshops, Financial Literacy, Resume Development, Career Exploration.

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More About Commonpoint Queens

The social services organization Commonpoint Queens helps individuals and families of diverse backgrounds find support, connections and opportunities during all stages of their lives. Guided by the Jewish values of service and justice for six decades, the agency has a range of programs at 52 sites across Queens, assisting 50,000 people each year. To learn more, go to www.commonpointqueens.org.