S:US Hosts Food Drive in Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
Matthew Costantini
[email protected] |609-647-1765
S:US staff, volunteers, and people served participate in day of service to address food insecurity in local communities
Queens, NY – On Monday, January 15, 2024, Services for the UnderServed (S:US), a leading provider of social services, hunger relief programs and supportive housing in New York City, celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by hosting a food drive with all donations going toward S:US Community Fridges to ensure the families and communities served have healthy and nutritious food. The food drive was held at the Lefferts Day Hab in South Ozone Park where members of the S:US staff, community volunteers, and people served joined together to pack and distribute donations.
“At Services for the UnderServed, we know that far too many of the people we serve struggle with food insecurity,” said Perry Perlmutter, President & CEO, Services for the UnderServed. “Initiatives like this food drive and our Community Fridge Programs are important steps in addressing this terrible issue. I am extremely grateful to our excellent staff, the South Ozone Park Community and the Lefferts Day Hab participants for their service on this day in honor of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
Food insecurity is skyrocketing across New York City – according to the True Cost of Living Report, 50% of working households in New York City are struggling to make ends meet. Food scarcity increases anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, hunger doesn’t fall equally across the city – it hits particularly hard in communities of color and the people S:US serves. This day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. ensures that S:US community members get the food they need.
As part of S:US’ Developmental Disabilities Services, Day Habilitation programs reduce the barriers to community inclusion by building each individual’s practical skills. These include communication and self-preservation, community awareness, independent living and pre-vocational skills by volunteering in the community.
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S:US envisions a city where everyone has a roof over their head, is healthy, productive, and can enjoy the social connections that create a life of purpose. S:US has a staff of 1,800 that provides $273 million in services. Their efforts are supported by various local, state, and federal government entities, foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Most importantly, S:US’ vision allows the organization to deliver the same quality of services to one individual or to thousands.