Addabbo partners with local groups for food and supply drive for furloughed federal workers during partial government shutdown

As the partial federal government shutdown lingers on, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is teaming up with some local institutions to help any of the 800,000 furloughed federal workers who are working without pay by establishing a food and toiletry drive for them.

Starting on Monday, January 21, Addabbo’s district offices in Howard Beach and Middle Village, along with the Queens County Savings Bank locations at 156-02 Crossbay Boulevard and 156-32 Crossbay Boulevard (inside the Stop & Shop parking lot) will act as drop off locations for the supplies.

Addabbo’s Howard Beach office is located at 159-53 102nd Street, while his Middle Village office is located at 66-85 73rd Place.

“It is a shame that these hardworking federal employees are caught up in this political back-and-forth,” Addabbo said. “Whether or not President Trump’s wall should be funded, these people — who have families they need to feed and bills that need to be paid — should not be held hostage.”

In order to help the furloughed workers, the drop off locations will be accepting non-perishable food items like canned goods, pastas, cereals, and others, as well as toiletries such as soaps and detergents, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and more.

The supplies will be distributed out of Our Lady of Grace Church, located at 100-05 159th Avenue in Howard Beach and the Sacred Heart food pantry located at 83-17 78th Avenue on Glendale. These sites can also be used as drop off location.

In order to collect needed supplies at the drop off locations, federal workers will have to display their federal ID.

“I hope that any federal employees who are not receiving a paycheck due to the partial government shutdown come to one of our drop off locations and help themselves to anything that they need during this difficult time,” Addabbo said. “I appreciate the efforts from Queens County Savings Bank, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Grace for their efforts in this endeavor, as well as everyone who makes a donation.”

For more information on this drive, call Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 718-738-1111.