ROCHDALE VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTER (Jamaica, NY)

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Feeding the Homeless: Sandwich Bag Prep: Q1 2025
 

Following a successful sock drive in December 2024, With Actions and in Truth again teamed with the Rochdale Village Community Center (Jamaica, NY); this time to have Rochdale residents (adults only) prepare sandwich packages (sandwich, fruit, water) to distribute to the homeless and hungry. It is the second year we've collaborated in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; beginning with the weekend that celebrates his birthday. This time around we decided to add Friday evening dates in February and March.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​JANUARY 17

Roughly 20 volunteers came out. We had a good "assembly line" going and prepped 270 packages in little over an hour. The packages were distributed throughout Queens Saturday morning / afternoon. The volunteer slots filled up relatively quickly and, as of this date, February is nearly full

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​​​​FEBRUARY 21

We were initially concerned that the frigid weather this Friday evening would deter people from showing up, but there was no need to worry. The first volunteer through the door was something of a "veteran"; having pitched in last year when we did this during the weekend that celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. This time around, she brought two people with her, and they quickly got the ball rolling. Everyone else fell in and we had a good "assembly line" going. Much to my astonishment, this team prepped 280 packages in roughly 40 minutes. The packages were distributed throughout Queens Saturday morning / afternoon. Volunteer slots for the March date have already filled up. However, we are looking to add dates for April, May, and June.

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MARCH 21

Nearly 30 people registered to volunteer for the March date before we closed it. However, only eight showed up. One was a returnee from February and two women brought their kids. Nevertheless, the small turnout did not deter us. Our "assembly line" got rolling about 6:40 PM. By the time this month's skeleton crew prepped and bagged 287 packages, the time was 7:45. The majority (243) of the packages were distributed throughout Queens Saturday morning / afternoon and the remaining 44 were distributed Sunday. By this time next week, we should have dates April, May, and June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I again have to give a shout-out to RV Community Center Director, Julia Shaw and Admin. and Program Assistant Yolanda Brannon, who went above and beyond to put the call out for volunteers, send out reminders, and pull everything together.

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Marc Taylor

March 26, 2025