GoFundMe Set Up In Place Of Annual Bed-Stuy Food Drive

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — A local block association has set up an online fundraiser in place of its annual food drive, which has been altered due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Macon Street and Tompkins Avenue Block Association is looking to raise $3,000 for Bed-Stuy's Campaign Against Hunger organization through a GoFundMe to help neighbors struggling during the holidays.

The fundraiser will replace the Annual December Holiday Food Drive, which the association has held for the past eight years.

"Due to the CDC Covid-19 Pandemic suggested guidelines, we are unable to facilitate our 9thAnnual December Holiday Food Drive in our normal manner," the association wrote on the GoFundMe page. "Nevertheless, there are more people than ever in need of assistance due to these unprecedented times. Therefore we have an alternative strategy as to how we can participate this season."

The money raised through the GoFundMe will go to the Campaign Against Hunger, a local food bank that has been dealing with an unprecedented level of demand since the early days of the pandemic.

The Campaign Against Hunger most recently extended its lease on an emergency warehouse set up in March to help with a seven-fold increase in those needing their services.

Bed-Stuy is one of the top seven community districts in New York City with high levels of food insecurity, which has only been exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis, according to the block association and the Food Bank For New York City Report.

Find out more about the fundraiser, which was launched on Sunday, here.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.