Organizers at the Greenpoint Reformed Church appealed for help with their food bank program for the homeless at a recent community meeting.
The Milton Street church hands out 175 bags of food produce to anyone turning up on Wednesday afternoons and estimates it has reached around 1,100 people.
Staff say they have seen a huge increase in need recently and blame the rise on city authorities shutting homeless shelters in Manhattan and sending people out to Brooklyn, as well as the worsening economy.
Local residents spoke up in favor of the church’s actions at the October 6 Community District One gathering. “There’s a $700 billion bailout for Wall Street but no bailout for us,” said Rolf Carl, of Milton Street. “It’s always the same – the community has to do it for themselves.”
Anyone eager to volunteer or donate food can contact the Greenpoint Reformed Church, at 136 Milton Street, on 718.383.5941.
