City Harvest needs your contributions

BY TONIA N. CIMINO

Friday, November 13, 2009 1:06 PM EST

Not having enough to eat is difficult, but couple that with the economic downturn, and, for some, the holidays this year may not be so merry.

But there is help – and hope – with people like Dr. Joseph Campisi.

In his ninth year collecting non-perishable and canned food items for City Harvest, Campisi recognizes that contributions are necessary, “especially with bad times.”

“It [City Harvest] is a very worthwhile cause,” he said.

According to the web site cityharvest.org, “Nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers live in poverty, struggling to afford basic necessities such as rent and medical care while trying to put food on their tables. As more people are affected by the recession and high unemployment in New York City, the need for emergency food has increased dramatically. Each week we help feed more than 260,000 hungry men, women and children.”

And that is exactly why Campisi got involved – and needs your help.

Throughout the month of November (right up until Thanksgiving), he and first-year collection partner Dr. Victor Katz are asking big-hearted people to drop off food to help those less fortunate.

They are also looking for partners – whether they be individuals or businesses – to help in the collection efforts.

One such partner is New Beginnings in Ozone Park.

“The more, the better,” said Campisi, whose parents, Gloria and Joseph, are extremely civically active, and help the poor in Appalachia.

In fact, the whole family gives back.

“We raided everyone’s pantries,” he joked.

If you would like to help, simply drop off non-perishable canned food items to Dr. Joseph Campisi at 133-55 Lefferts Boulevard in South Ozone Park or to New Beginnings at 93-02 Linden Boulevard in Ozone Park. To learn more, call Campisi’s office at 718-848-6663.