Queens Councilman Francisco Moya held five Thanksgiving food distribution events in the days leading up to the holiday, benefiting over 3,500 families within New York City’s 21st District. Each family received a turkey, fresh produce and food bags, among other food items.
The distributions were held in partnership with Laborers Local 79, Laborers Local Union 1010 LECET, Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, Cement and Concrete Workers District Council, District Council 9, IUPAT and AFL-CIO. Additional support was provided by the Trade Fair Supermarkets, Ideal Food Basket Supermarkets, Food Bazaar Supermarkets, Goya Food, Grubhub, Zarembra and Brown PLLC, Pazer, Epstein, Jaffe and Fein, P.C., Queens Center Mall and Hispanic Federation Inc.
“I am incredibly grateful to all our partners, community leaders as well as my brothers and sisters from the Laborers Local 79, Laborers Local Union 1010 LECET and New York City District Council of Carpenters and Carpenter Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan, for their continued generosity to the more than 3,500 families in District 21 Queens,” Moya said. “This is New York City solidarity at its best as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Moya hosted this five-event series of food distributions alongside the East Elmhurst Corona Civic Association, Grow NYC, First Baptist Church of Corona, Iconic Sports Lab and the LeFrak City Tenants Association. Additionally, Moya took part in the fifth annual Iconic Thanksgiving Food Drive.
“This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for the great partnerships we have within our communities to give back to families in need, especially our ongoing partnership with our friend of labor in Queens, Council member Francisco Moya,” New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Geiger said. “The NYC Carpenters Union not only builds communities, but we lift communities up where we live and work and that is why we are happy to donate Thanksgiving turkeys to families in Corona this holiday.”
The Fifth Annual Iconic Thanksgiving Drive was made possible thanks to sponsors like Goya Foods Inc., Associated Supermarket Group, Key Food Supermarkets in Jackson Heights and Valley Stream, City Fresh Market in Corona, PCNY, State of NY Chaplain Federation, Alex Guzman Family and Friends, 4U House of Fitted Caps, Porky, Nebraska land Bronx, Royal Waste Hollis, Paragon Honda of Woodside, NYPD Office of Community Affairs and NYPD 110th Precinct.
“We are grateful to partner up with Councilman Francisco Moya, who continues to fight not only for his community but for our sisters and brothers in labor,” District Council/ Laborers Local 79 Manager Mike Prohaska said. “Our Local 79 members are very thankful to have an opportunity to contribute and give back to the communities they call home and ensure as many families as possible have food on the table during the Thanksgiving holidays.”
Councilman Moya designated funds to fight food insecurity and support healthier communities as well. As part of the GrowNYC-Health Bucks initiative during the Corona food distributions, food bags and fresh produce were each given out to the families being helped.
“Laborers’ Local 1010 LECET is honored to give back to the NYC communities where our members live and work,” Laborers’ Local 1010 LECET Director Victor Rizzo said. “As we see in our field, strong communities do not just happen; they are built and nurtured over time. We are proud to tend to the sidewalks, schools, roadways and playgrounds that need fixing but even prouder to have the opportunity to help families have a hearty meal this holiday season.”
Distribution in Corona on Nov. 21. (Photo courtesy of Francisco Moya’s office)
“At District Council 9, we deeply value the importance of giving back to the communities in which our union members live and works,” District Council 9 Business Manager/Secretary Treasury Joseph Azzopardi said. “We were proud to participate in the turkey giveaway alongside Council member Moya and community partners to ensure our neighbors can have a joyful Thanksgiving this year.”
