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Jamaica Food and Toy Giveaway Seeks to Help Families for Christmas

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | December 24, 2013 10:44am
 The River Fund will host its annual Christmas food and toy giveaway at Rufus King Park in Jamaica on Dec. 24.
Food Giveaway in Jamaica
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QUEENS — Hundreds of families in need will receive free food and toys to help them celebrate Christmas during an annual event at Rufus King Park in Jamaica Tuesday.

The River Fund, a Richmond Hill-based nonprofit, will distribute hot meals to about 600 families, according to Otto Starzmann of the River Fund.

“Our endeavor is to give them a Christmas feast,” Starzmann said. “It’s going to be a full hot meal with dessert, coffee and apple cider.”

Kids will also receive gifts and families will be able to pick up bags with a variety of products, including cereals, meat, dairy and canned goods.

Starzmann said the neighborhood has a big population that needs help, but expensive rents in the Jamaica Center area make it difficult for nonprofits to run a food pantry. So the River Fund came up with the idea of starting a mobile food pantry.

The River Fund has been distributing food pantry products at Rufus King Park twice a month, every other Tuesday, for 19 years, Starzmann said.

“We don’t turn anybody away,” he said. 

The food and gift giveaway will take place on Dec. 24, from noon to 3 p.m. at the gazebo at Rufus King Park in Jamaica.