Senator James Sanders Jr. Hosts Census Sign-Up & Pop-Up Food Pantry

NYC Census 2020 issued a document recording the Neighborhood Response ratings within Senatorial District 10. South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and South Jamaica were identified as communities with the low participation.

In response, Senator James Sanders Jr. partnered with a number of community organizations to reach out to residents. He distributed sanitizers, masks and food while representatives and volunteers assisted constituents with onsite sign-up for the 2020 Census. This was the second in a series of events being conducted by Senator Sanders to increase census numbers. 

The event took place at Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Church in Jamaica on August 22, 2020. 

"Ensuring a more accurate count is so important because census numbers will decide how precious federal funds will be allocated annually for programs and services including education, housing, community development, healthcare, job training and services for the elderly," Senator Sanders said. "The more people who participate in the 2020 Census, the better our communities will be and the more equitable federal dollars will be distributed."

We would like to thank our co-sponsor City Council Member Adrienne Adams and community partners: The U.S. Census Bureau, Campaign  Against Hunger, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Allen Neighborhood Preservation & Development Corporation Program, Cista Girls, South Jamaica Resident Green Committee, Girls Set the Ground Rules, Greater Triangular Civic Association, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Phi Zeta Zeta Chapter and NAACP Jamaica Branch.

We also appreciate the support we received from the Census Caravan led by community leader Adjoa Gzifa, who stopped by to raise awareness of the census with their cadre of community organizations, traveling in cars and using bull horns to speak about the necessity of being counted. The Lemuel Haynes Congregational Church led by Pastor Terry Calhoun also stopped by and prayed for all in attendance, which was greatly appreciated.