The Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island Kick’s Off Pesach with a Pre-Holiday Food Distribution

The Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO-SI) held its annual Passover/Pesach food drive and distribution Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at the Young Israel of Staten Island Synagogue located in the Willowbrook section of Staten Island. Thanks to the efforts of COJO-SI approximately 800 families in Staten Island are able to enjoy Passover 2019 with the traditional foods necessary to experience festive Sedarim and holiday meals.

This year marks the 41st year of COJO-SI helping make sure that all members of the Staten Island community can celebrate Passover in a dignified manner in accordance with Jewish traditions and customs.

Mendy Mirocznik, President of COJO-SI thanked Scott Maurer, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice-President of COJO-SI and his team of volunteers for doing a great job in organizing the Passover food drive and distribution.

Mirocznik further thanked the generous COJO-SI food pantry partners who made this Passover food drive and distribution possible, such as Met Council, Food Bank for New York City, City Harvest, and Mr. Kevin Mannix CEO and Owner of Staten Island Shoprite.

The following elected officials and community leaders attended and participated with the food distribution, among them Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Councilman Joe Borelli, Chief Kenneth Corey, commanding officer, Patrol Borough Staten Island, Ted Kantor from the New York State Court Officers Association, Daniel Hartley representing New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Patrick Lewis representing Mayor Bill de Blasio, Donald De Rosa and Pinny Hikind representing New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and William Matarazzo representing Senator Andrew Lanza.

The best part was how community coming together and working together for the good and welfare of Staten Island.

Mirocznik concluded, “That the COJO-SI Passover Food Relief is just one component of our pantry that services all people of Staten Island. Our goal is to make sure that no person goes hungry in Staten Island.” Scott Maurer CEO of COJO-SI agreed and added, “that my dream is that no one should experience poverty and hunger and the pantry should go out of business due to a lack of clients in need. However, until we reach that day, we here at COJO-SI are in the business of combating hunger.”