After the Hurricane: How You Can Help

Some recent updates on local efforts to help our neighbors in need following Hurricane Sandy. Please be sure to read our posts about other recovery efforts following the hurricane.

Volunteer at Shelters

Locally, volunteers are still in demand at both the Park Slope Armory, which continues to serve as a temporary shelter, and at Congregation Beth Elohim, which is running a significant relief effort. Both have online tools for signing up: head to the sites for Congregation Beth Elohim and/or the Armory.

 

Brooklyn Needs You: The Brooklyn Recover Fund

Contribute to the Brooklyn Recovery Fund and help fellow Brooklynites come back from the hurricane. Text “Brooklyn” to 25383 to donate $10 to the Fund; visit the Fund’s website, or take a look at its recent public service announcement from Brooklyn Independent Television:

 Two Boots’ Hurricane Relief

According to Two Boots’ Facebook page, operations for the local restaurant’s efforts have  moved to Old First Reformed Church, Seventh Avenue and Street. “Thanks to the congregation and Daniel [Pastor Daniel Meeter] for allowing us into their home. The aisles of the sanctuary are filled with supplies. Baltimore’s radio station 101.9LIF and WJZ TV sent two coach busses and a moving van packed with cleaning supplies, food and personal hygiene products. We are making hot soup and meals in the kitchen and have filled the lower hall with donated food.”

“Yesterday we fed 500-600 people at Mount Carmel Church in the Rockaways at Beach 71st Street, families in Canarsie, and 200 displaced residents of a mental health care facility who are being boarded at the gymnasium at York College. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped deliver the only hot food these patients have had since the storm.”

Two Boots will continue to provide hot meals and distribute supplies through Saturday, and hopes to find funding to continue our efforts. Any donations can be made out to Old First Reformed Church, Attention: Sandy Kitchen Relief, 729 Carroll St., Brooklyn NY 11215.

 

Fifth Avenue Food for Red Hook

Fifth Avenue restaurants are stepping up to the plate to help displaced Red Hook residents get a hot, healthy meal. Organized by The Old Stone House, Park Slope Parents, and the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, more than a dozen restaurants will be preparing meals that will be delivered to the Red Hook Initiative at their meal distribution center located at Calvary Baptist Church (773 Hicks St.) on a daily basis. The need for high protein hot meals in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is ongoing while Red Hook residents remain without power and adequate housing.

Visit All About Fifth for a list of participating restaurants.

 

NYC Rapid Repairs

From Andrew Olsen, Brooklyn Director of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (via Park Slope Neighbors):

  • This new and unprecedented program will send teams of contractors and city inspectors into neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Sandy and quickly and efficiently make necessary repairs to damaged homes.
  • We are bringing in contractors who will be given responsibility for specific geographic areas hard hit by Sandy.
  • These contractors will be responsible for repairing the homes of anyone who wants to take part in NYC Rapid Repairs.
  • Under the typical Federal Emergency Management Agency process, it is up to the homeowner to arrange for repair work and carry it out, but this new system will make repairs happen more quickly and efficiently.
  • Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 13, homeowners will be able sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs by going to NYC.gov, calling 311.
  • They will need a FEMA ID number, which they can get by registering at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1.800.621.3362.
  • The NYC Rapid Repairs teams will work closely with city agencies, including the Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development, to make sure that any necessary inspections and certifications are done as quickly as possible.
  • If they so choose, homeowners still have the option of having repairs made through their insurance company or with a standard reimbursement from FEMA. If they choose NYC Rapid Repairs, we will handle getting the contractors in and getting the work done.
  • Homes eligible for NYC Rapid Repairs will be those who have received a green placard from the Department of Buildings, indicating that the home is structurally sound.