By Alex Robinson
More than 500 families lined up to receive kosher food packages from the Masbia Soup Kitchen in Rego Park Tuesday in anticipation of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year.
The facility, at 98-08 Queens Blvd., predominantly serves a large Bhukarian Jewish community, but all those in need of a meal are welcome, said Alex Rapaport, Masbia co-founder and executive director.
“Our mission is to feed everyone,” Rapaport said. “We happen to be kosher, but our mission is to feed all of New York’s hungry.”
City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) dropped by the soup kitchen Tuesday evening to tour the facilities and help serve a few hungry Queensites.
The Council allocated $105,000 to Masbia for fiscal year 2015, part of $1.3 million in funding for the city’s food banks and pantries.
“Masbia plays an especially crucial role in ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to meals that fit their dietary restrictions as one out of every eight New Yorkers keeps kosher,” Mark-Viverito said.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
