A local church in South Ozone Park is hosting its monthly food donation program next Thursday, Aug. 22.
Volunteers at St. James-St Matthew’s Lutheran Church, located at 119-15 135th Ave., want to give back to some of the neighborhood’s most vulnerable residents.
The event runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Anyone interested in receiving a donation bag must sign up by Wednesday, Aug. 21, by calling 718-845-8770 or emailing Foodin11420@gmail.com.
The monthly food pantry program began two years ago to address the growing needs of the local community. “We wanted to give back to our community because we thought due to COVID and everything going on there were so many people that needed food on their tables,” said church member Trisha Mohamod.
Mohamod said the program is a small operation funded by church members and other benevolent community members who bring in nonperishable food items every week leading up to the event. She added that there are normally up to 60 recipients per event.
Mohamod said she hopes more organizations and community members will create food pantry programs to help the local community. “Food is essential, sometimes you walk around the neighborhood and see people in the local Walgreens asking for food or a donation. We want them to know they don’t have to go hungry,” she said.
