Merchants collect clothing for asylum seekers in city

Businesses are collecting clothing for asylum seekers in New York City.

The Female Fight Club is collaborating with Tin Marin Restaurant, Yukka Latin Bistro, Tobala Restaurant, and the Friendly Fridge to ask residents to donate lightly used and new clothing, children’s backpacks, shoes/boots, winter apparel, and baby carriers.

All donations will be given to Team TLC NYC, a nonprofit organization providing support to asylum seekers and direct assistance, such as greeting them at the Port Authority when they arrive on buses from southern states.

The donations will help make a difference by welcoming immigrants to NYC with warm open arms and support to help them on their journey, said Female Fight Club owner Joanne Edmondson.

The collection at Female Fight Club is organized by gym member, Chrissy Yeomans and Edmondson.

“Chrissy saw the need for loving support for arriving immigrants and has admired Joanne’s continued commitment to community outreach, so they teamed up to start a Riverdale collection, the club said in a statement.

Female Fight Club has organized a “Witch’s Ride Riverdale” Halloween Bike Ride Sunday at 11:30 a.m. to encourage donations in a fun, festive way. Food donations are also requested to support our Bronx community through Friendly Fridge.

Donations will be accepted through Oct. 31 and can be dropped off at 5912 Riverdale Ave. during business hours.

Visit TTLCNYC.org to learn more about Team TLC NYC and the direct donation requests.