33K pounds of food distributed in New Rochelle residents affected by coronavirus

As New Rochelle faces food shortages due to coronavirus restrictions, 33,000 pounds of food is being handed out in the city.

News 12 Staff

Mar 13, 2020, 10:52 PM

Updated 1,596 days ago

Share:

As New Rochelle faces food shortages due to coronavirus restrictions, 33,000 pounds of food is being handed out in the city.
Volunteers on Friday sorted through donated food from Stop & Shop.
"One of the greatest concerns that we've had is how are we going to feed this community? Because we anticipated the need is going to be greater," said Hope Community Services Executive Director Walt Ritz.
The meals are for seniors who are unable to leave their homes because of the coronavirus, and families impacted by shuttered schools.
"This has been an enormous relief and a really a Godsend," Ritz said.
Volunteers who sorted and packed the items say they feel good helping out a community in need.
"I saw this on Facebook last night and I know that some kids that I know are going benefit from this. I want to be a part of it," said New Rochelle teacher Mary Claire.
All the normal volunteers for Hope Community Services are up in age, so the organization asked the regulars to stay safely home and put out a call for help that was answered without question.
"It's great the gratitude that I get from knowing I’m helping other people out and provide food for those less fortunate. Feels good," said New Rochelle resident Howard Gray.
"A good friend told me it was happening, and I wanted to come help out for people that are not going to have food," said Audrey Hill, another New Rochelle teacher.
Another distribution is set for Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The food is only for New Rochelle residents.
Hope Community Services says Councilwoman Martha Lopez was instrumental in connecting them with Stop & Shop. The company is apparently ready to donate more food to the pantry if its needed.
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION: What you can do to protect yourself
PHOTOS: The impact of the coronavirus outbreak around the world:
undefined
 
 


More from News 12
1:52
Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

2:04
Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:49
New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

0:49
Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued