Bring Smiles to the faces of children in need
Become a Partner in our 'GIFT OF GIVING" Program.
Your small recurring monthly donation will go a long way in keeping our programs alive.
Please sign up now by clicking here.
Click to donate
with
or any major
CREDIT CARD
| Tax Assistance |
Free Tax Assistance Starting In February 2010 by Appointment |
| Read more... |
Sanitation Worker Helps Others Through Food Pantry
The latest New Yorker of the Week is a man who spends his day working hard for the city's Department of Sanitation and his off time feeding Brooklyn's hungry. NY1’s Molly Kroon filed the following report.
December 29, 2006
"There is a fulfillment when I see the expressions on people's faces, and their gratitude,” said Neve.
Prompted to action after seeing dozens of hungry Brooklynites searching the same trash cans he was picking up, Neve, started the Reaching Out Community Services Food Pantry in 1992.
"When I noticed the homeless people living in the streets, parks, alleyways, and abandoned buildings I felt compelled to do something about it," explained Neve.
His mission was to create a food pantry that allows the hungry to shop for their food items, rather than simply receiving a hand out.
"It's a little more dignified," he said.
Grants from The United Way, Food Harvest, and Food Bank of New York City help pay the rent. But a large portion of the shoe-string budget comes out of Neve's own pocket. And with the help of 11 volunteers like Program Director Jesse Lombardo, the pantry has become a haven for some 800 Brooklyn families.
"When I see somebody out there and they're working, and they still can't make ends meet and just to see the expression when the little kids come in here and says, 'Mommie, Mommie, look cereal,'” said Lombardo. “Something we take for granted for them is like a Christmas gift."
One patron says he is grateful for the pantry because after rent and bills, there is not much money left over to spend on food.
"Without it I don't know what I would do, I would have to be out there begging or something else like that," said food recipient Robert Winpenney.
And Nevee even gets his own family involved. His niece, who teaches at P.S. 192, had her students hold a food drive for the pantry.
"It brings everybody together and lets everybody know there are people there to help one another,” said his niece, Bernadette Neve. “It helps bring the community together."
And what's it like working along side such a charitable co-worker?
"Tommy is the nicest guy in the world,” said sanitation worker Mike Mouton. “He'll give you the shirt off his back, very generous."
And so for making sure our streets are clean and our residents are fed, Tom Neve and the people behind the Reaching Out Food Pantry are the New Yorkers of the Week.
- Produced by Robbie Sosa
View our Press Releases
by clicking here.
Click to view listings of items available or donate an item to someone else in need.
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
