COVID-19 update: Powering through budget cuts: Domino Park launches food scrap drop-off in place of curbside programs
On the front lines of the war on COVID-19, there are many civilian heroes going out of their way, as volunteers and contributors. Also, many who are elected to serve are going the extra mile. In this column the Eagle hopes to give our readers an ongoing update on those fighting in the front lines.
In response to the city cutting its curbside compost and food waste collection program due to COVID-19 budget cuts, Domino Park is expanding its composting program to offer the North Brooklyn community the option to partake in a public food scrap drop-off program. On June 1, Domino Park will welcome its first community food scrap drop-offs. The Domino Park in-vessel composter, called The Rocket, can convert thousands of pounds of food scraps into compost. The high-quality soil amendment will be reused on-site and available for free to the general public and other parks and public spaces.
Mitchell Partnow, chairperson of TJ Cares, has donated food in memory of his grandmother to the dedicated health workers at New York Community Hospital. Partnow reached out to President and CEO Barry Stern, who coordinated the effort along with RN Alah Votto. Partnow felt that his grandmother, affectionately known as Grandma E, would want him to show appreciation to the men and women who put their lives on the line every day. Mitchell went on to say that, “compared to what the health care workers do for the community, this is the least we can do for them.” He continued, “Let’s continue to show our appreciation to our brave health care workers by staying in when we can, wearing masks and practicing social distancing when we have to go out.”