Community Corner
Community Helps Local Students Get Back to School with Backpacks
600 Children Receive Free School Supplies with Funding from Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, St. George’s Church, and La Jornada organized a back-to-school event for local local students on Saturday, August 25 at historic St. George’s Church, 13532 38th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354. Hundreds of area children received free backpacks and supplies, which were funded with donations from community sponsors and businesses.
“The Chamber is happy to partner with La Jornada’s initiative to support local students returning to school with free backpacks and supplies this year,” stated John Choe, Executive Director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “Expanding economic opportunity is part of our mission and access to education is a key factor in ensuring continued prosperity in our community.”
La Jornada is a faith-based charity that organizes a weekly food pantry at St. George’s Church, which feeds more than 400 low-income households in the community.
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St. George’s Church is an intercultural, multilingual Episcopal congregation in Flushing, Queens, New York. with members from over twenty different nations of origin. A landmark church, it has served an ever-changing congregation for over 300 years.
The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit membership association that foster the economic growth, inclusive diversity, and shared prosperity of greater Flushing through advocacy, networking, and education.
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The organizers were joined by Councilman Peter Koo of the 20th District, New York City Council; the Rev. Wilfredo Benitez of St. George's Church; Pedro Rodriguez and members of La Jornada; Taehoon Kim of Regen Acupuncture; Elizabeth Hendrey of Queens College; Alfred Rankins of Concerned African-Americans of Queens and the Latimer House Museum; Kevin Louie of Cushman & Wakefield; and, Caroline Lane of Flushing Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.
“Back to school supplies can get expensive for low-income families, and we want to make sure all families are able to make the most out of their child’s education without worrying about breaking the bank,” stated Councilman Peter Koo. “Thank you to La Jornada and the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce for helping the youth of our community kick off the start of the school year with the confidence they need to succeed.”