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.