NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Lots of people are trying to find ways to help these days in the COVID-19 crisis, but it’s not always easy to find ways to do that.
Now, there’s a group out there trying to help.
Tamera Lee tells WCBS 880’s Mike Sugerman she was looking for ways to help when the pandemic stuck, but didn’t know how. Now she’s working at a West Village food pantry at The Church of the Village.
The group works to hand out bags or supplies, worth about $25, with no questions asked.
The bags come packed with fresh cooking ingredients such as mint, parsley, dill and so much more. There’s even some soda, fruits and non-perishables.
Lee and the others there wanted to volunteer and found the world through New York Cares, a non-profit connecting New Yorkers with volunteer opportunities.
“This is the highlight of my week, I have to tell you. Working at this pantry is as uplifting for volunteers as it is for the customers,” Lee said.
New York Cares staffs the entire church’s volunteer staff and it’s easy to join other organizations.
Anyone can visit the New York Cares website, fill out a survey explaining interests and availability, and they’ll find you a place to volunteer.
Tear-n Tan filled out the survey and now says she’s making new friends while doing good work.
“When you do projects on a weekly basis you start to develop relationships with them. You have an affinity for them. I know today is Tuesday I’ll see my friend Louise, and on Saturday I’ll see my buddy Donna,” she says.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, New York Cares has signed up around 20,000 volunteers serving 3,000 projects and helping to supply over 4 million meals.
But there’s more than food pantries.
They’ll find anyone a place with kids, seniors, helping parks, and so much more. It’s a clearinghouse for volunteers.
Teresa Conception, who runs the food pantry at The Church of the Village, is happy that so many volunteers are finding what it’s like.
“I love it. I love it. It isn’t what I meant to do after college but I can’t imagine doing anything else now,” she says.
Volunteering shouldn’t be hard, so New York Cares makes it easy. For more information, visit NewYorkCares.org.
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The Link LonkAugust 06, 2020 at 04:06AM
https://wcbs880.radio.com/articles/news/new-york-cares-makes-volunteering-easy
Difference Makers: New York Cares Makes Volunteering Easy - WCBS 880
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