Food Distribution at Morris Houses Assists Residents During Gas Outage

On March 4, the residents of Morris Houses in the Bronx received some welcome assistance during a planned gas outage impacting one of the development’s 17 buildings – with nearly a hundred bags containing non-perishable items distributed to families there.

Spearheading the initiative was Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. She and her office helped carry it out with the invaluable assistance of Morris Houses Resident Association (RA) President Sandra Gonzalez, RA Secretary Rosalie Washington, and NYCHA’s Resident Services Department.

NY Common Pantry, a local organization working to reduce food insecurity throughout New York City, donated 95 bags containing milk, rice, pasta, peaches, and canned and dried beans to all of the building’s residents. 

NYCHA also provided residents of the impacted building with slow cookers and hot plates to assist with gas-free cooking during the outage.

RA President Gonzalez had ensured that residents were made aware of the food drop-off in advance. Flyers were printed by the property management office and placed on each floor of the building, and Ms. Gonzalez and Ms. Washington personally made sure that everyone received the flyer.

Additionally, the resident association sets up a stall each Saturday to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to local residents, as part of its ongoing commitment to the community.

Pictures: (Top) NYCHA employees, Millicent Matos (Office of the Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson) Rosalie Washington and Sandra Gonzalez (Morris Houses Resident Association); (Bottom) NY Common Pantry employees unloading packages with the help of NYCHA employees.