INC distributes COVID relief packages in Astoria

At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, New York City was the epicenter in the United States. As cases increased during the early months of 2020, people began to lose jobs and access to food through restaurants and grocery stores. Although New York City has lifted some restrictions, people continue to struggle to make ends meet.

With this in mind, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ provides some relief  to help individuals who have been affected by the pandemic. Through the INC’s Aid to Humanity outreach program, church members and volunteers prepared and delivered on October 31, a total of 1,000 care packages for the residents of Astoria Houses in Queens, New York. The care packages consisted of canned goods, face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers.

Located in the Hallets Cove area in Queens with 22 residential buildings, Astoria Houses is one of the low-income developments of the New York City Housing Authority. Qnsmade.com states in its website that Astoria House consists of 22 buildings, 1102 apartments, and houses 3,135 people. “It is bordered by 27th Ave, 8th Street, Hallets Cove and the East River. Astoria Houses was completed in 1951.”

Claudia Coger, president of the Astoria Houses Resident Association, expressed her appreciation. She said, “I am very excited because I didn’t expect so much. But I know that it’s a blessing from the Lord. And I’m just eternally grateful to the Church Of Christ for assisting us at this time.”

Under the leadership of INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, socio-civic projects, such as Aid to Humanity, aims to reach out to communities especially, those lacking in resources and services in different parts of the world.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ has congregations in 158 countries and territories, and its members are from 147 races and nationalities worldwide. The church was registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914.

© The FilAm 2020