Helping greater Riverdale’s hungry

To the editor:

According to Feeding America, September is Hunger Action Month, “a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in America and inspire action. Every action — big or small — is one step closer to an America where no one is hungry.” This issue is one that is very real throughout our community. And there is something that each of us can do to help.

In fact, many in Riverdale are reaching out to support the distribution of food that would otherwise go to waste and feed others. Here are some of the ways we are building community around sharing food in the Northwest Bronx.

There are four mutual-aid fridges, which model the idea: “From each according to their ability, to each according to their need.” These local fridges are: The Friendly Fridge, 4670 Manhattan College Parkway; the Riverdale Fridge on West 238th Street near Greystone Avenue; The Neighborhood Fridge at the corner of West 256th Street and Mosholu Avenue; and Vincent’s Table, located on the campus of the University of Mount Saint Vincent.

Local food pantries include: KCI Kosher Food Pantry at SAR Academy; Kingsbridge Heights Community Center at 3101 Kingsbridge Terrace; the Marble Hill Food Pantry at Saint Stephen’s Church at 146 W. 228th St.; and Christ Church Riverdale at West 252nd Street and Henry Hudson Parkway.

Monthly mobile food pantries include: Riverdale Neighborhood House (Common Pantry, fourth Wednesday of the month); Riverdale Y (MetCouncil, kosher food), one at AmPark, 74 Van Cortlandt Park South, and one at the Riverdale Y, 5625 Arlington Ave.

Seniors can get lunch each weekday at: The Jewish Association for Aging (JASA), 185 W. 231st St.; The Riverdale Senior Services, 2500 Netherland Ave., and the Riverdale Y Senior Center New Beginnings Program at 5625 Arlington Ave. (Hot meals are between $2 and $2.50) 

Art for AID at the Riverdale Y Sunday Market sponsors The Farmer to Fridge Network. They purchase extra food the farmers bring to the Riverdale Y Sunday Market at Riverdale Temple and redirect it to the local fridges and pantries.

More information for these programs can be obtained by calling the organizations or going to their webpages. For a complete guide to local resources, go to artforaid.info/.

Rick Feldman

Shira Silverman