BUDDHA’S LIGHT INTERNATIONAL, FO GUANG SHAN DONATE FRESH PRODUCE, PPE THROUGHOUT QUEENS
5,000 Pounds of Fresh Produce for Families; 19,000 pieces of PPE for Frontline Health Workers
(June 18, 2020 at 1:12pm)
QUEENS, NY – Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee this week announced a generous donation from the Buddha’s Light International Association, New York (BLIA) and Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of New York of 5,000 pounds of fresh produce to Queens families, and more than 19,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline health workers in the borough.
“Thank you BLIA and Fo Guang Shan for securing this donation of fresh produce filled with nutrients for Queens families to stay healthy in the spirit of interfaith collaboration and shared humanity,” said Borough President LEE. “Also grateful for the generous donation of PPEs to Queens workers still on the frontlines, as we remain vigilant in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and as New York City approaches Phase 2 of reopening.”
“A kind heart, like a blooms bouquet, can spread joy and happiness to others,” said BLIA Founder VENERABLE MASTER HSING YUNG.
The fresh produce was secured by BLIA and the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of New York, and donated as part of an interfaith collaboration to New Greater Bethel Ministries in Queens Village, the First Baptist Church of East Elmhurst, the Chabad of Rego Park and the Chabad of Flushing — continuing Queens’ all-encompassing push to stem the tide of food insecurity.
A total of 102 cartons of produce were distributed, including 60 cartons of kabocha squash, 31 cartons of long beans and 11 cartons of chive flowers. Providing the donated food to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of New York and BLIA was Bally Produce Corp., a produce wholesaler based in Maspeth, Queens.
In addition to the fresh produce, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple of New York and BLIA this week donated 100 face shields and 19,000 face masks — including 10,000 medical masks, 6,000 surgical masks and 3,000 N-95 masks — during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation of PPE will be distributed across several Queens medical facilities and organized labor unions representing nurses, including:
- The Floating Hospital in Long Island City
- Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center in the Rockaways
- Plaza del Sol Family Health Center in Corona
- St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in the Rockaways
- New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA)
- UFCW Local 342 serving the New York City metropolitan area.
“At a time when there is such divisiveness in our nation and our communities, it’s wonderful when we reach across the systemic divides to help each other and make our world and community a more cohesive place to live,” said New Greater Bethel Ministries PASTOR JOHN H. BOYD. “Thank you for this kind donation of fresh produce for our seniors and those in need.”
“It’s such a special day. We’re happy to be a part of this effort to help those in need,” said Chabad of Flushing Director RABBI SHRAGA ZALMANOV. “We are here for each other.”
Click here for photos of the June 17 produce donation.
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