State Senator Joseph Addabbo partnered with young community activists from Ridgewood to help support the Hungry Monk Rescue Truck with a food and feminine products drive.
Addabbo will be opening his district offices as a drop-off spot for donations as part of Jacob Altamirano and his older sister Jamie Longo’s efforts.
“I have worked with both [Altamirano] and [Longo] in the past on donation drives, and I am proud to do so again on this initiative,” Addabbo said. “I am always impressed with their hard work in the community and their dedication to others, especially at such a young age. The Hungry Monk Rescue Truck is a valued resource for those facing food insecurity in our local communities and touches the lives of everyone it serves. I am happy to open my doors to help collect food for them.”
Starting Monday, Aug. 30, Addabbo’s Middle Village office, located at 66-85 73rd Pl., will be a drop-off location for food and feminine product donations.
Food donations will go to the Hungry Monk Rescue Truck, and the feminine products will be available for women at local food pantries within the community. The drive will run until Friday, Oct. 1.
Altamirano, 12, and Longo, 16, both feel the urge to give back and lift their community, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“The past year has been such a hindrance on the majority of the community, and we need to work together to get back on track and progress,” Longo said.
Longo said that helping her community has always been something that she has always felt drawn to do.
“I’ve always liked doing something I care for, and making a few people feel some relief in their day-to-day makes me feel happy for them,” Longo said.
Altamirano also said that he doesn’t feel special being a young activist in his community but just wants to help make a difference.
“I just feel like an ordinary kid helping others out,” Altamirano said. “It just makes me feel happy for the people I can lend a hand to. I want to help people change the world for the better, so I know people are left safe and unharmed and have things that they need.”
