MYFOXNY.COM -
Residents of the Rockaways are trying to rebuild and get their lives back in order. A group of companies began a food drive that helps distribute 20 tons of food and supplies.
28 pallets, nearly three thousand cases of food organized, repackaged and loaded up for Hurricane Sandy victims.
"Anything we can do to give back, we're just always trying to do that," said one volunteer.
And among the busiest hands on this human chain of volunteers are little Ella and her mother Rachel.
"You just realize how blessed you are and you want to do everything you can to help people who are not as blessed at this moment," said Rachel.
Everything here was donated by the Fairway grocery chain and Organizer Roy Niederhoffer says even the moving trucks signed up to do the work for free.
"Somehow the storm touched everyone in New York and we're here to help make people's lives a little bit better," said Niederhoffer.
The donations from Niederhoffer and Fairway will end up at the disaster recovery center in the Rockaways. Residents can pick up all types of supplies and register for assistance from FEMA and pickup blankets. Many still have power out and temperatures are dropping.
"It's really cold at night; it's really, really cold and we're just picking up the blankets," said one Rockways resident. "I live downstairs and I lost my whole entire apartment and I have kids so – I'm just trying to get what I can to keep us going for now."
Inside the Nazareen Church in Queens, hot meals also available. Outside the long lines are an indication so many are still in need says Reverend Les Mullings.
"Nobody is going to stand in line for 45 minutes to an hour to get something – whether it's hot food or supplies if they're not in need," said Rev. Mullings.
And there are many who couldn't make it to the recovery center because there's too much work at home -- clearing basements and dealing with mold.
So Roy and the team made house calls.
"If you can look into my heart, I really appreciate it," said one thankful homeowner who was unable to go to the recovery center.
No gesture of goodwill is too small not when there is so much work left to do.
