For Immediate Release                                                    

June 12, 2009                                                                     

 

                                                                       

Supervisor Alex Gromack Announces the Town of Clarkstown and Girls Scouts

“Clarkstown Freedom from Hunger Food Drive”

Kick off event on Saturday at Stop & Shop in Central Nyack

 

(New City) - The Town of Clarkstown and local Girl Scout troops are joining together to fight hunger and help Rockland families in need.  Girl Scouts will be collecting donations for People to People and Meals on Wheels at a number of upcoming Town events throughout the summer.    

 

“In these economic times, it is important to remember our neighbors in need,” said Supervisor Gromack.  “Partnering with the Girls Scouts is a perfect opportunity for the Town to support our local not-for-profits that provide essential services to all of Rockland County.”

 

“During these challenging economic times all our not-for-profits are being asked to do more with less.  Given the great need those in our community face, this effort will surely help to address their needs,” said Councilman George Hoehmann.  “My fellow Council Members John Maloney, Shirley Lasker, Frank Borelli, and I are so proud we have young women like Gina and Alex that are promoting this great community service effort through the Girl Scouts.”

 

According to People to People, the need for food is greater than ever before.  Currently 856 families are on the People to People recipients list for food and over 2,000 on the general list.  Typically during the summer months People to People sees a decrease in donations of food and volunteers.

 

Similarly, Meals on Wheels experiences a decrease in contributions during the summer months.  It has a cupboard program that assists elderly homebound residents by providing canned goods for the residents that will benefit greatly from the Girl Scouts/Clarkstown’s food drive. 

 

The Girl Scouts will be collecting non-perishable food at the following Town of Clarkstown events:

 

Event	Date	Location	Time
Kick Off Food Drive	June 13th	Stop & Shop, 313 Rt. 59, Central Nyack * perishable and non-perishable	10:30am-1:30pm
Serendipity Saturday	June 20th	Germonds Park	12pm-3pm
Twin Ponds Block Party	June 28th	254 Massachusetts Ave, Valley Cottage	2pm-6pm
July Fireworks	July 1st	Nanuet High School, 103 Church Street	7pm
Summer Concert	July 8th	Germonds Park	7:30pm
Campers Canned Food Drive	July13-17th	Recreation Playground Programs	n/a
Summer Concert	July 23rd	West Nyack Hamlet Green	7:30pm
Summer Concert	July 28th	Congers Train Station	7:30pm

 

 

Girl Scout Gina Celio said, “Now that school is out and we are all on vacation please keep in mind these families that never get a vacation from hunger.  The more we give, the more our neighbors in need benefit.”

 

Jim Burton, Assistant Executive Director for Operations, Meals on Wheels, said “Our seniors are dependent on our programs and the goodwill of others.  We are so grateful they have not been forgotten, even in these tough economic times when so many of our neighbors are struggling to stay afloat.” 

 

Diane Serratore, Executive Director, People to People said, “I cannot thank the Town of Clarkstown and the Girl Scouts enough for this effort.  This food drive is going to make a huge difference in the ability of People to People to feed our families in need this summer.”

 

Local Girl Scouts participating in “Clarkstown Freedom from Hunger Food Drive” include: West Nyack Community Girl Scouts, Bardonia Elementary School Brownie and Girl Scout Troops and Felix Festa Middle School Girl Scout Troops, all part of the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. 

 

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