Flushing Welcomes Immigrants During Annual Holiday Community Meal

Declaring that “Immigrants & Refugees Are Welcome Here,” community leaders today announced details of this year’s initiative to help those less fortunate during the holiday season. Local restaurateurs Danny Lye and Ivy Zheng were joined by representatives from the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, St. George’s Church, La Jornada, the Flushing Interfaith Council, the Hindu Temple Society, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens, and other community leaders.

“Flushing has a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants and refugees to our community. Our annual holiday community meal continues this tradition of embracing newcomers and helping them integrate into American society,” stated John Choe, Executive Director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “This Annual Meal as well as our Coat Drive during the holidays send the message that the Chamber is here to help our community.”

“With support from the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, our staff and management once again have the opportunity to give back to those who are less fortunate,” stated Danny Lye, restaurateur and owner of Danny’s Steakhouse & Oyster Bar and Kakurega Sushi. “I hope more business owners will join us in celebrating the spirit of Christmas and help donate food in the future, so we can feed more people.”

Local gourmet restaurant, Danny’s Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, will prepare 300 meals to feed those in our community who otherwise might go hungry. This annual holiday community meal will take place on Sunday, December 24, 3-5pm, at historic St. George’s Church, located at 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354. The organizers of the community meal will work with local volunteers from a number of civic groups including La Jornada, which organizes a weekly food pantry.

“Christmas celebrates the birth of the Christ Child in a broken world where disparity abounds. Feeding the hungry is one of the great mandates given to those who celebrate this birth. Saint George's Church is proud to offer its facility to celebrate Christmas in a spirit of sharing,” stated Rev. Wilfredo Benitez, Rector of Historic St. George’s Church.

According to the advocacy group Hunger Free America, 1.2 million New Yorkers (one in seven of the city’s population) don’t have enough to eat. In 2017, 40% of the food pantries and soup kitchens in New York City didn’t have enough food to meet demand (35% had to turn people away, reduce the amount of food, or limit hours). The federal government has proposed slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (ie, food stamps) by $192 billion, which would disproportionately affect children and senior citizens. 1 in 5 children and 200,000 seniors in New York City do not have enough food to eat.

“For the past four years, La Jornada has been serving immigrants and those who are poor in Flushing. Since then we have seen an incredible increase in the number of people we are serving,” stated Pedro Rodriguez, Founder of La Jornada. “It is so good to see our own chamber of commerce joining us in this fight against hunger and poverty in our community. People like Danny Lye and Taehoon Kim show their love for the poor and needy not only with words but with actions like this dinner for our community here in Flushing.”

Local business owners and civic groups will also be donating food and volunteering that day. Jeffrey Lim of BB Food Service is donating fresh fruit, and Raymond Yong of MK Durian Group will donate coconut water.

"The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is honored to partner with our member, Danny Lye, owner of Danny's Steakhouse and Oyster Bar and Kakurega Sushi, in organizing this year’s 3rd Annual Holiday Community Meal,” stated Taehoon Kim, President of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. Please join us on Christmas Eve to serve food to those less fortunate members of our community at historic St. George's Church."

“As a member of the Flushing Interfaith Council, I am acutely aware that many of our neighbors in Flushing need and appreciate the opportunity to receive a holiday meal,” stated Runita Sutton, Board Member of the Flushing Interfaith Council and past President of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens, “The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens provides a Community Luncheon each month and St. George’s provides a food pantry. There are many in this community who need this service, not just during holidays, but year around.”

“Flushing Meditation is happy to participate and assist at St. George Episcopal Church during this Christmas Eve Dinner initiative serving the community,” stated Richard Gunther, Meditation Guide from Flushing Meditation.

“We encourage lifelong study, discussion, activity and service by providing tools, strategies and opportunities to develop and thrive in a global society,” stated Leona Chin Wong, Coordinator of the Home School Group of NYC/LI. “We are happy to donate and provide volunteers for this year’s Holiday Community Meal.”

Democratic Party District Leader Martha Vazquez Flores as well as representatives of the Hindu Temple Society of North America also joined today’s announcement.

For more information, go to http://fb.com/events/1387771154681767/.