Absolutely inspiring day for Philoxenia Inc, thanks to the extraordinary people at the RIVER FUND, a 30-year old, rapidly growing nonprofit helping families in Queens #fightpoverty and #endhunger via education programs, access to benefits and, critically, food.
The scale and logistics of their operations were matched by their exceptional kindness, as we contributed to today’s pantry — helping hundreds of hungry New Yorkers — through our “Sandwiches & Socks” program.
Through our partnership with The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation and Bombas, we gave away 150+ bags of freshly made sandwiches, plus snacks, bottled water, masks and Bombas socks. The program, created by Philoxenia’s founder and president, Despina Kartson, complements the mobile, “Pop-Up Pantries” we hold year-round in NYC.
Most of today’s inspiration came in the form of students from IS 77 in nearby Ridgewood, who made the sandwiches themselves, traveled to Richmond Hill, and personally handed each bag to a fellow neighbor in need.
At a time when nearly one in four New Yorkers are experiencing some form of food insecurity, the efforts of the city’s volunteer community, and the nonprofits that organize them, have never been more important.
