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Donate for Hurricane Irene Relief at Bay Ridge Greenmarket

September 28, 2011 Editorial Staff

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Hurricane Irene donations are being collected from 8am to 2pm at3rd Avenue and 95th Street Greenmarket on October 1st and 8th. Theywill be collecting:

Peanut Butter
Jelly
Canned Meals (Chili, Ravioli, etc.)
Hearty Soups
Cereal
Snack/Granola Bars
Pasta
Shelf Stable or Instant Milk
Crackers
Cookies
Paper Plates
Paper Cups
Diapers
Shampoo
Toothpaste
Disinfectant Cleaner

The items are being collected for upstate farmers who are stilldealing with the aftermath of Irene. The storm destroyed nearly 50farms and crippled many others by submerging crops, collapsingroads, killing livestock and washing away barns. The storm came atthe worst possible time, with the majority of farmers in the midstof harvesting a year’s worth of labor.

With rivers and creeks cresting at near record levels, officialsin Sullivan, Ulster and Orange counties said Hurricane Irene wasthe most catastrophic weather event ever to hit the region. Thewidespread damage will mean many residents throughout upstatecommunities will face critical food shortages in the comingmonths.

With the help of City Harvest, Regional Food Bank, and Move forHunger, GrowNYC is answering this call for help by collectingneeded items at Greenmarkets throughout the City. Donations will bedistributed to communities most in need by the New York StateRegional Food Bank.

Over 10% of the farmers who provide fresh and local produce atGreenmarkets in the City have lost all of their crops for the yeardue to severe flooding during and after Hurricane Irene, notedState Senator Marty Golden. We urge all New Yorkers to come totogether and help feed the communities that have helped feed all ofus for so long.

Nearly 80% of Greenmarket farmers were impacted with somereporting severe loss – meaning 80-100% of their crops werecompletely destroyed, noted Councilmember Vincent Gentile. I amurging everyone to come together and help feed the communities thathave helped feed us for so long.

Collections of food and supplies will take place at:

Bay Ridge Greenmarket in the Walgreen’s parking lot at 95thStreet & 3rd Avenue this Saturday, October 1st and nextSaturday, October 8th.

Other sites include:

Grand Army Plaza: Prospect Pk W & Flatbush, Saturdays
Ft. Greene: Washington Pk and Dekalb, Saturdays

For more information about the Greenmarket’s Hurricane IreneRelief Fund and what is needed, please visithttp://www.grownyc.org/relief or call Councilmember Gentile’soffice at 718-748-5200 or State Senator Marty Golden’s office at718-238-6400.