Press Release: Thanksgiving Meals and the Re-Opening of Key Food
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Johanna Zaki / Ken Hochman
#ConeyRecovers
718-594-7895 / [email protected]
Mayor’s Fund and Councilman Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. Serve Over 10,000 Thanksgiving meals to residents affected by Hurricane Sandy
#ConeyRecovers continues efforts to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy; Celebrates the Reopening of Key Food Supermarket
CONEY ISLAND, November 24, 2012 – Thousands of meals were served to Coney Island residents on Thanksgiving as part of continuing efforts to assist families impacted by the recent Hurricane Sandy. Sponsored by the Mayor’s Fund and in coordination with Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., residents enjoyed a catered sit-down Thanksgiving dinner at the famous El Caribe catering hall in Mill Basin on Thanksgiving Day. Tickets for the event were distributed to impacted residents two days leading up to Thanksgiving. Residents attending the dinner were provided with free transportation via buses departing from MCU Park. Additionally, in an effort to make sure that every Coney Island resident was able to celebrate Thanksgiving, #ConeyRecovers assisted in the distribution of hundreds of turkeys and pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals andover 6,000 meals were served to Coney Island residents at MCU Park on Thanksgiving Day.
“Superstorm Sandy left thousands of residents in our area displaced or severely impacted for the Thanksgiving holiday. In typical Coney Island spirit, however, the community came together to make this a holiday to remember for everyone. Hundreds of businesses, residents, teachers, elected officials, and volunteers proved that we have a lot to be thankful for as we work together to recover and rebuild,” said Council Member Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the newly-incorporated Alliance for Coney Island launched the #ConeyRecovers initiative with a focus of responding to the immediate crises and needs posed by the hurricane and affecting many Coney Island residents and merchants. Since the flood waters receded in Coney Island, the Alliance has coordinated over 3,000 volunteers, assisted in the distribution of over 50,000 hot meals, staged clean-ups in parks, beaches and streets, and launched a fundraising effort at www.coneyrecovers.org. Now, nearly a month after Hurricane Sandy, which devastated so many in the Coney Island area, the most pressing need is funding for the continued recovery and reconstruction efforts of the many residences, not-for-profit organizations, public spaces, and small businesses in Coney Island affected by the hurricane. With hundreds of homes impacted and approximately 1,000 local businesses in Coney Island affected by Hurricane Sandy, the damage and long-term consequences are considerable to the area’s local economy and social infrastructure.
On Saturday, November 24th, the #ConeyRecovers team celebrated a major milestone in the recovery efforts as the Key Food at W. 34th and Neptune Avenue reopened its doors for the first time since the storm. Like all businesses in Coney Island, the Key Food experienced flooding that destroyed equipment, utility connections, and damaged inventory. Thanks to efforts to provide temporary power to the location, the Key Food will open to the public today with normal business hours from 8am – 9pm, and expects to be fully stocked by the afternoon.
“We’ve been in Coney Island a long time and plan to stay to be part of the new growth and rebirth. It’s amazing to see the thousands of people coming to Coney the last three weeks to volunteer to help clean up from Sandy. We are also proud of our workers who put in the extra effort to make sure that the store is open to serve our neighbors,” said Joe Doleh, Owner, Key Food at 3485 Neptune Avenue.
Any individuals who wish to donate and contribute to the relief efforts of the much devastated Coney Island community may do so by going to www.coneyrecovers.org, and clicking on the “donate” tab.
“Coney Island has always had magic in its sands for everyone, and now what we are seeing is an unprecedented spirit of cooperation, making sure that the only permanent rising tide is the collaboration between private and public interests to build for an even brighter One and Only Coney future. At this time the community’s needs come first, and as our neighbors are slowly coming back, the amusement businesses are also rebuilding and will be opening for the 2013 season”, said Dennis Vourderis, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Alliance for Coney Island Chairperson.
About Alliance for Coney Island
The not for profit Alliance for Coney Island Inc. is a private-public partnership dedicated to continuing the year-round renaissance of Coney Island. The Alliance represents local businesses, nonprofits, and the community, with support from Community Board 13, the New York City Council and the Brooklyn Borough President. More info at www.AllianceforConeyIsland.org.
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