Theory 9 Inc., a local nonprofit focused on empowering youth, Democratic State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), local community organizer and teacher, Morgan Evers, and various partners including City Meals on Wheels, hosted a produce giveaway ahead of Thanksgiving to to support local families in the Norwood section of The Bronx on Saturday, Nov. 22.

 

They were joined by local Bronx Volunteers including some members of the Unity Democratic Club, including its president Marcelo Lopez, Danielle Herbert Guggenheim, teacher and former candidate for city council, representatives from Youth Impact Bronx and Guerinos against Graffitti*, among others.

 

Sakur Seagurs, founder and executive director of Theory 9 Inc., said the event was part of a continued effort to combat food insecurity and uplift local families during the holiday season.

 

Theory 9 had also partnered with CPRF Charity, Boost Mobile, AT&T, Council Member Pierina Sanchez (C.D. 14), and Common Pantry to provide hundreds of Bronx residents with fresh holiday meats at a separate giveaway in Kingsbridge, serving families of all ages, and furthering Theory 9’s mission to build healthier, resilient communities through direct support and year-round humanitarian programs.

 

Evers, a former State committeewoman in A.D. 81, covering much of the northwest Bronx, as reported, is now running as a Democratic candidate to become a State Assembly member next year in the same district. State committee members are unpaid elected party officials who serve two-year terms and must reside within the district they represent.

 

In The Bronx, a female and a male State committee member represent voters in each assembly district, according to the Bronx Democratic Party. [This may have since changed given developments in other boroughs to two people of any gender in each assembly district. We’re checking and will confirm.]

 

Their main responsibility is representing their district by attending and voting at their respective political party’s state convention and annual meetings, according to the Party. A strong State committee member also serves as a liaison between the community, local elected officials, city government, and political candidates, according to the Party.

 

He added, “And if you know anyone who needs a little bit of community [spirit] and food, we’ll be out at Bronx Museum of History [on Bainbridge Avenue in Norwood] on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. with 100 servings of soup and books and prizes and surprises.” For more background on Norwood Community Library, click here. A documentarian was present on the say of the Oval giveaway, filming a documentary about the mobile library. It was later screened at the Bronx Documentary Center.

In addition to the City Meals on Wheels pre-packaged Thanksgiving meals distributed on the day, fruit, vegetables and donuts were also made available to residents. Stephen Bogart LeBow of the Bronx Basketball Hall of Fame was also present on the day. LeBow had spoken passionately about the Hall of Fame project during one of the recent hearings on the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory in the context of potentially using the space to inform local kids and youth about the The Bronx’s long and storied basketball legacy.

 

According to its founders, the Bronx Basketball Hall of Fame was created to acknowledge and celebrate the men and women, players, coaches, mentors and contributors who have had an impact on the history of Bronx basketball. “Their commitment, dedication to the community and to the  game of basketball will be forever be revered,” the founders said.

 

The Basketball Hall of Fame is also committed to youth development programs and initiatives that provide educational, cultural, and social opportunities for The Bronx community. For more information, visit their website here. 

 

Meanwhile, in the lead up to Thanksgiving, Rivera, who is chair of the State Senate health committee, and his team had also sponsored or distributed turkeys and produce at other events across the 33rd senate district including at Tracey Towers in Bedford Park, Pelham Parkway Houses, Bean Morris Community Garden, Bronx Community Board 8, and at the Riverdale Neighborhood House.

From a legislative standpoint, the senator said he was proud that his bill, S.1804-A, which requires insurance coverage for certain inhalers (one rescue and one maintenance) at no cost, has passed at State level and was recently signed into law by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

 

“This legislation is especially important for my constituents in The Bronx, the borough with the highest number of asthma cases in the city,” he said. According to the senator, the cost of asthma inhalers can be cost prohibitive for many, with the price of each life-saving device being as high as $640 a month.

 

Rivera said even with health insurance, individuals are subjected to significant expenses to access this life-saving medication, and without consistent access to inhalers, people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to get sick, be hospitalized, and die.

 

According to the New York State Department of Health, he said more than 1.4 million adults in New York live with asthma, and New York City has one of the highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma among children and young adults. The senator said it is especially prevalent in The Bronx, due to indoor and outdoor air pollution, tobacco use, and barriers to quality and affordable healthcare coverage.

With generous donations from local businesses, corporate partners, and community organizations, Rivera said he and his team worked hard to ensure that many families in Senate District 33 received what they needed to spend a joyful holiday, especially during these challenging times.

 

“With the governor signing this bill into law, New York is one step closer to eliminating the financial barriers that keep our residents from accessing life-saving asthma medications,” the senator said. “I want to thank my partner in the Assembly, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, for working closely with me to get this important law on the books, which will improve access to care.”