Ridgewood Elementary Schooler Teams Up with Hungry Monk to Provide Food for Those Affected by Coronavirus
Jacob Altamirano started this project when he realized coronavirus job loss could mean many people in his community are now going hungry.
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Jacob isn’t the only altruistic Altamirano child. His sister Jamie Longo-Altamirano is spearheading a project to fill pantries with $600 worth of menstrual products—which she decided to purchase directly from the distributor—so people with periods won’t go without supplies during this time. She is accepting donations during this time too. Keep an eye out to learn which organization Jamie will be partnering with!
“The problem is these pantries do not provide for the women and young girls in need. The New York population is 51.5 percent female, yet these pantries do not provide feminine hygienic products while many of the women and young girls who need them can’t afford them,” Jamie says. “So that’s why I want to help by giving these women and young girls with the products they need.”
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that we have to help each other,” Jacob says of his experience. Connie echoes, “’Today for me, tomorrow for you.’”
Learn more about Hungry Monk and how you can help its coronavirus emergency response efforts through this YouTube video. If you’re not in Queens, there are still plenty of opportunities for volunteering in the New York metro area and from home, so we can all help others during this time.
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Main Image: Courtesy Connie Altamirano