From: Ann Kansfield, Greenpoint Church, Brooklyn (ann@greenpointchurch.org).
To: Rev. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, The Interfaith Center of New York
Subject: How to Help Hurricane Recovery in Brooklyn
Dear Friends,
From the best of our knowledge, much of Greenpoint fared reasonably well during Hurricane Sandy. Parts of the neighborhood were underwater, but nothing like our neighbors to the north in Long Island City. We are very grateful that the building did not sustain significant damage and the basement remained dry. Because we did not have a sustained power outage, the food in freezers and refrigerators is good. Because we are in such good shape, we are focusing our resources on the storm recovery process.
We are responding to the storm in several specific ways, and can use your help.
1. We are continuing to provide a hot meal on Wednesdays and groceries to anyone who comes to the food pantry. By continuing our regular services, we contribute to a greater sense of calm among some of the most vulnerable people in North Brooklyn. Because of our work, people who do not have food, or cannot afford it, do not have to resort to extreme measures out of fear of not having food to eat.
2. We are helping people who receive SNAP benefits (aka Food Stamps) apply for replacement benefits due to the storm. This can be a complicated process for folks who do not have a computer or fax machine. We are printing out the forms, helping people complete them properly, and faxing them to the HRA office. This allows people to receive replacement food stamps quickly, without having to walk to the HRA office, which is several miles away.
3. We are making portable meals for people staying at the shelter in Coney Island. We prepare the food here, and our city councilman Steven Levin is delivering the food to the shelter with his car, which has gasoline (a very precious resource right now).
We need your help! Please donate to the hunger program. We promise to use your funds wisely. You can make a one-time donation via PayPal at http://greenpointchurch.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=38ea35fcd3ae9be56d9633bf6&id=230a0d101f&e=6594be8067 or you can sign up to give monthly via our website at http://greenpointchurch.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=38ea35fcd3ae9be56d9633bf6&id=5e070f71f5&e=6594be8067. If you’re not into online giving, you can send a check to: Greenpoint Church Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry 136 Milton St. Brooklyn, NY 11222.
Thank you for your support of this important work and such a crucial time.
Yours,
Ann Kansfield
