Councilman Maisel Kicks Off Food And Phone Drive For Veterans, Active Military
Councilman Alan Maisel is teaming up with two organizations during the week of Veteran’s Day to bring cell phones for active military members deployed abroad, and food for stateside veterans in need.
The pol is asking neighbors to bring non-perishable food to his district office at 2424 Ralph Avenue between now and Thursday, November 20. Close to 30 percent of New York City’s veterans and their families rely on emergency food, according to information from his office, and local food pantries and soup kitchens need the items to assist those who’ve served with hot meals for the holiday season. The items will be collected from his office and brought to pantries by Food Bank for New York City.
Meanwhile, he’s working with Cell Phones for Soliders to collect used cell phones so some of the 200,000 troops currently abroad can make free calls to family and friends back home. The phones are recycled and the funds are used to purchase prepaid international calling cards for servicemembers. For every donated phone valued at $5, the organization provides two and a half hours of free talk time to deployed troops.
Phones can be dropped off at Maisel’s district office. For more information, e-mail AMaisel@Council.NYC.Gov or call (718) 241-9330.
