A further food and mask giveaway was held at Hull Avenue and 204th Street in Norwood on Sept. 3, 2020, as food insecurity continues to be a concern for many families across The Bronx.

 

The event was promoted by the American Albanian Open Hand Association, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, State Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, City Councilman Andrew Cohen, State Committee Leader Elect Sandra Pabon, and Male District Leader Elect Marcos Sierra.

In addition to those listed on the event flyer as the event organizers and promoters, among those who joined to volunteer on the day at the event were Sheila Sanchez, President of North West Democrats, Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Aging Committee of Bronx Community Board 8, Female District Leader Irene Estrada, Milenia Marias, volunteer, Aleksander Nilag, founder of the American Albanian Open Hand Association, Anthony Rivieccio of North West Democrats and others.

 

According to Estrada, the food boxes were sponsored by the American Albanian Open Hand Association, and about 200 boxes were handed out to community members, who Estrada said were thankful for the gesture.

 

“They were super happy,” Estrada said. “I would like to give them everything under the sun because we are the melting pot of the world. Love my district.”

 

A sign that many New Yorkers are still very much in need of food assistance, Estrada said the food went quickly on the day. A number of food giveaway events have been held across the borough in recent weeks and months and organizers have told the Norwood News that the lines are not getting any shorter.

 

Indeed, the economic fall out from the coronavirus pandemic sees no signs of subsiding. With unemployment in the Bronx reaching 24.9 percent in July,  the New York State Department of Labor announced that the Extended Benefits (EB) program would go into effect.

The creation of the initial Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, and the subsequent, additional EB program means New Yorkers who were already in receipt of traditional Unemployment Insurance (UI) became eligible to receive extended financial assistance for up to 59 weeks, up from 26 weeks before the pandemic.

 

To be eligible for the EB program, New Yorkers must first exhaust all 26 weeks of traditional UI, and all 13 weeks of PEUC benefits. They must also be still unemployed at the time of application for EB. Alternatively, the department said that if a person’s benefit year for UI expired after July 1, 2019, and the person received 13 weeks of PEUC, that person may be eligible for EB. For more information, go to https://unemployment.labor.ny.gov.

 

Meanwhile, another food giveaway will be held at the same location in Norwood on Thursday, Sept. 10.

UPDATE: The Extended Benefits (EB) program is now in effect in NYS.

Thanks to the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) & EB programs, NYers receiving traditional UI are now eligible for up to 59 weeks – up from 26 weeks before the pandemic. https://t.co/GCkdo3fCrG pic.twitter.com/iGIEUSkA6r

— NYS Department of Labor (@NYSLabor) July 14, 2020

 

Daily Meals For All at Schools: https://www.opt-osfns.org/schoolfoodny/meals/default.aspx

GetFoodNYC meal delivery for those with no way to leave the house, including seniors: https://cv19engagementportal.cityofnewyork.us/#/display/5e7555117ad6750216160409

For a map of food pantries and food banks, go to https://www.foodbanknyc.org/get-help