Annual Food Drive Underway in Community Board 11

Annual Food Drive Underway in Community Board 11
by David Greene

Children from several schools and at least one Cub Scouts pack joined police officers outside of the Big Deal Supermarket on Morris Park Avenue, for the 49th Precinct’s 12th Annual Holiday Food Drive.

Youngsters manned the table as they sought food and cash donations from the public for four-hours on Saturday, December 16. The food will furnish holiday meals to hundreds of Bronxites.

According to Joseph Thompson, the President of the 49th Precinct Community Council, youngsters from P.S. 83, P.S. 108, P.S. 105 and Cub Scout Pack 162 “Red Hawks,” were expected to raise $500 and 1,500 pounds of food.

Thompson also noted that Maestro’s Caterers and Kings Harbor contribute food and Big Deal Supermarket allows the youngsters to set up a table outside the store and gives them a discount when they return with the donated money to buy more food.

Thompson noted, “We only have one large pantry in Community Board 11, operated by the Bronx Jewish Community Council on Holland Avenue in the Allerton section and the bulk of the food goes there.” He added that local churches will get the rest.

Thompson also noted that turkey’s donated by Maestro’s and Kings Harbor will go to senior programs in the Van Nest, Morris Park and Pelham Parkway neighborhoods.

Thompson said, “They only do this for four hours, but before it’s over they’ll have a jar full of money that people donated and we go back in and buy more food.”

Thompson added, “The Morris Park community is extremely generous. Most of our food comes from this area and it goes to people who are really in need.”

The Bronx Jewish Community Council Food Pantry (BJCC) is located at 2157 Holland Avenue and can be reached by calling (718) 828-1114.

The BJCC pantry currently serves 2,160 clients a month and is serving more than 550 extra meals per month over 2016.