COVID-19 Holiday Food Pantry Fundraiser
EMERGENCY COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDRAISER
Candacy McEwan, Founder of Guyana Trans United
Photo by Ron B. Wilson
Many of our diverse documented and undocumented Caribbean (Indo and Afro-Caribbean), South Asian, and Latino families -including LGBTQ+ immigrants and asylum seekers- are experiencing unprecedented food insecurity right now, due to the financial crisis caused by COVID-19 in New York City.
For the past six months, the Caribbean Equality Project, South Queens Women’s March, and the Bharati Foundation have organized multiple pop-up food pantries in South Queens and the Bronx. From distributing culturally appropriate groceries and feminine hygiene products to providing cash assistance to documented and undocumented Caribbean LGBTQ+ immigrants, these two entirely volunteer-led organizations have been tirelessly responding to the food insecurity and financial crisis disproportionately impacting black and brown communities as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. To date, they have collectively fed over 10,000 families, many of whom are low-income and working-class immigrant families. The pantries have served as an invaluable COVID-19 resource for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, and sexual health and wellness information.
During December, the Caribbean Equality Project will re-launch its pop-up pantry service in partnership with South Queens Women’s March, The Bharati Foundation, and the Men of faith Group to respond to food insecurity in predominantly Caribbean neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. Help us keep providing our most impacted and vulnerable community members with critical nutritious food, essential resources, love, and joy during this pandemic holiday season. We are asking for your financial support for this initiative.
Tentative dates of the pantry are as follows:
The Bronx: Saturday, December, 12
Queens: Sunday, December 13
Brooklyn: Sunday, December 20
We hope to serve 1000 families with this initiative, an average of 300+ per borough.
The funds will be used to secure the following distribution Items and resources:
1) Grab and Go Meals (Sourced from local Caribbean owned businesses)
2) Culturally-Responsive Groceries (canned foods, nonperishable grains, fruits, and fresh produce, etc.)
3) Care Packages (Toothbrushes, Deodorants, Soaps, Shampoos, Bath bombs, tubes of toothpaste, Combs, Socks, and Lotions, etc.)
4) PPEs (Masks, Hand Sanitizers, Gloves, etc.)
5) Sexual Health and Menstrual Products (Condoms, lubes, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, etc.)
6)COVID-19 Testing
The Caribbean Equality Project's advocacy and organizing are all volunteer-run, with a focus on community building and education, facilitation of pro-bono legal representation for Caribbean LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, culturally competent mental health resources, visibility at city-wide pride parades and cultural festivals, and empowering LGBTQ+ Caribbean diasporic community through storytelling and resource sharing.
The Caribbean Equality Project is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, registered non-profit organization. All contributions and donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Be Social! Help us to maximize our relief efforts by sharing our COVID-19 Holiday Food Pantry e-fundraiser with your networks! Tag us on Twitter @caribequality and Instagram @caribbeanequalityproject.
For more information or to make a donation by phone, please email info@CaribbeanEqualityProject.org or phone 347.709.3179.
