The Jewish Organization of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn opened a new food pantry on Sept. 2, sponsored by the Met Council at the W Mall, according to a press release. The pre-Rosh Hashanah distribution event provided food for 250 local families.
Governor Kathy Hochul was there to cut the ribbon during the event, joining community and elected officials such as Rabbi David Niederman, Met Council CEO David Greenfield, Attorney General Rich James, Comptroller Mark Levine and more.
“We are opening the first food pantry in Williamsburg where the need is great,” said Hochul. “This is an extraordinary day in advance of the high holy holidays to anticipate the higher need for people to have food to celebrate with, and that is what we are delivering here today.”
Packages were full of proteins, dairy, eggs and fresh produce to address food insecurity. Hochul has also expressed commitment to ensuring Jewish New Yorkers have access to kosher products.
According to Jerusalem News Syndicate, the Met Council is distributing more than 2 million pounds of kosher food across the region, as food requests have increased due to rising costs and unemployment.
“This is a special time to let the community know that we're there and we’re fighting for them,” Hochul told JNS. “We’re trying to make life easier and more affordable for them.”
