Biaggi Joins Clothing Company Donor to Distribute Free Meals at Montefiore Food Pantry

By SÍLE MOLONEY

New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi joined executives from WHP Global, owner of the American menswear brand Joseph Abboud, to distribute meals at Project BRAVO, Montefiore Medical Center’s owned and operated food pantry on Wednesday morning, July 15. Yehuda Shmidman, CEO & Chairman of WHP Global, was on hand to assist the senator in distributing the food, with the help of Montefiore Medical Center volunteers. A total of 225 boxed meals were given out to local community members on the day, in addition to 275 boxed meals which were given to healthcare workers at Montefiore Mount Vernon. In

By JESSICA SHAPIRO MS, RD, CDN, CDCES

Do current events trigger a gut feeling of uneasiness causing you to have food cravings or to seek comfort by binging on unhealthy snacks? Do you find yourself lacking an appetite when the fate of the future is foggy, resulting in food restriction? Either way you are not alone. It is natural to desire control when times are uncertain. Many people experience emotional eating in response to fear, stress, grief, anxiety, and any number of other emotions. Food is one aspect of our lives that we can control when other aspects feel uncontrollable. We can control what we eat, how

By Marisa Marotta

Green spaces have held a special place in the heart of local resident, Barbara Stronczer, for many years. It was only fitting, therefore, that her many years of advocacy to keep Bronx communities beautiful, clean and safe were honored on Tuesday, June 30. A lifelong Bronx resident, Stronczer is passionate about keeping the City clean, and over time has been involved in everything from organizing park clean-ups to beautification projects, and simply helping people in the neighborhood. She currently serves as president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association and is chairperson of Bronx Community Board 7 Parks’ Committee.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

With a heat wave expected this week, the American Heart Association is advising people to protect their hearts in the heat. With temperatures forecasted in the 90s, it’s important to know that extreme heat can be hard on the heart. As the temperature rises, so can the risk for suffering health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Doctors recommend using good judgment when it comes to activities outside in the heat, and that people stay hydrated. During hot weather, it’s important that to take the right precautions: Watch the clock: It’s best to avoid the outdoors in

By Síle Moloney

The City’s three library systems—The New York Public Library (NYPL), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Queens Public Library (QPL)—are reopening 22 branches for grab-and-go service in all five boroughs, starting Monday, Jul. 13, 2020. In this first phase of the libraries’ gradual reopening, patrons can access a small area of these branches to pick up and return checkouts placed online or on the phone. Masks will be mandatory and social distancing guidelines enforced. The first Bronx based libraries to physically re-open are Belmont, Parkchester and the Francis Martin Library on University Avenue. NYPL confirms there is no specific

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Council Member Fernando Cabrera, in conjunction with Bronx Parent Housing Network community residents, will be distributing free food and face masks on Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. at Devanney Triangle, 2030 Creston Avenue Bronx, NY 10453. “As a community and a city, we’ve made tremendous progress in stopping the community spread of COVID-19, but we still have work to do,” said Cabrera. “People still need help and support and will for some time, including food for their families and face coverings. This is one of the communities hardest hit by the coronavirus in the entire city, with

By Síle Moloney

Households who lost a breadwinner or caregiver to COVID-19 may be eligible for emergency cash assistance, through the Montefiore Family Resilience Fund supported by the Robin Hood Foundation. The Montefiore Family Resilience Fund will provide cash assistance to 375 bereaved families in financial distress. Eligibility criteria: Family must be referred by a licensed clinician (physician, NP, PA, social worker, or psychologist) Death from COVID-19 of a breadwinner or caretaker in the household At least one child/youth/young adult age 26 or younger resides in and is financially dependent on the household Family is experiencing financial distress (e.g. difficulty paying

By Síle Moloney

On Wednesday, Jul. 8, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced additional preliminary plans for school reopening in September, assuming the City continues to meet all necessary COVID-19 public health thresholds. According to a City press release, the plan was driven first and foremost by the health and safety of school communities. Schools will be provided with specific models to develop schedules for students that include in-person and remote instruction every week. Personalized schedules will be shared with families in August, and the Department of Education will continue to update families so they can plan

By Síle Moloney

Ayaris Perez, and his colleague, Edwin Torres, both filmmakers from Norwood, make up half of the Bronx Film 48 team, a Bronx community film initiative established in March 2019, the goal of which is to increase the number of filmmakers in the Bronx, increase the number of produced films within the Bronx, and connect filmmakers through networking events, workshops and an annual 48-hour film challenge. The group is launching the 2nd annual Bronx 48-hour film challenge on Jul. 10 at 5:00 p.m. This time, it’s an indoor film challenge, requiring all short film submissions to be made indoors. “It