Photo Courtesy of Google
RIVER FUND will receive the donations from the ASPCA and warehouse the food at its storage facility and distribute the bags to the participating organizations out of its Richmond Hill headquarters on Lefferts Boulevard.
By Forum Staff
The Borough President’s Office and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are teaming up to donate pet food to 14 local non-profits and community-based organizations for distribution amongst Queens families in need of assistance feeding their four-legged loved ones., Acting Borough President Sharon Lee announced Monday.
According to Lee, the ASPCA’s donation of 2,520 combined bags of cat and dog food aims to address the tide of food insecurity for families with pets—already one of the most commonly requested items at food pantries—due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Considering the vital role pets play in our lives—especially in times of uncertainty and stress—it’s extremely important to safeguard their health and welfare as much as we possibly can,” said ASPCA Senior Director of NYC Legislation Michelle Villagomez. “We are grateful to be partnering with Borough President Lee to help make sure Queens’ pet owners can access the resources they need to continue caring for their pets.”
Beginning Thursday, June 18, Lee and the ASPCA will facilitate the distribution of more than 1,250 bags each of donated cat and dog food across the following local organizations with operational food pantries, including:
- Commonpoint Queens—Sam Field Center in Little Neck
- Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Inc. in Corona
- First Baptist Church of Corona in Corona
- Harding Ford Vision, Inc. in Jamaica
- Hungry Monk Rescue Truck in Ridgewood
- Jamaica Community Partnership Program, a Sheltering Arms NY program, in Jamaica
- La Jornada in Flushing
- Latin American Intercultural Alliance in Jamaica
- New Greater Bethel Ministries in Queens Village
- NYCHA Redfern Houses in Far Rockaway
- Project Hope Charities, Inc. in Jamaica
- Queens Community House in Flushing and Forest Hills
- RIVER FUND in Richmond Hill
- Rock Safe Streets, a Sheltering Arms NY program, in Far Rockaway
- Voces Latinas in Jackson Heights
“Pets are deeply loved in the Borough of Families, but for those struggling to make ends meet, providing for furry family members can be even more challenging,” Lee said. “Queens is deeply grateful to the ASPCA for this timely donation in our all-encompassing push to stem the tide of food insecurity.”
The donated bags of cat and dog food come in two separate sizes—15- and 31-pound bags for cats and 28- and 40-pound bags for dogs.
RIVER FUND will receive the donations from the ASPCA and warehouse the food at its storage facility and distribute the bags to the participating organizations out of its Richmond Hill headquarters beginning June 18.
“After baby food and diapers, pet food is the third most requested item among our client base of more than 15,000 families. Especially seniors who live alone, whose only form of companionship is their pets, will be extremely grateful for this support,” said RIVER FUND Chief Production Officer Dr. OttoStarzmann. “Thank you.”
