As the Bensonhurst Food Giveaway movement ramps up, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) has been at the forefront of an effort to distribute a variety of foodstuffs to local residents at no charge.

Most recently, on the afternoon of October 31, hundreds of people lined up outside the offices of Assemblyman Colton and City Councilmember Susan Zhuang (D—Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Dyker Heights, Boro Park and Sunset Park) to receive a bounty of cabbages, tomatoes and blackberries that had been donated, with food provided by non-profit organization UA3 and volunteers provided by Chinese American Social Services. That was the third time in a little over a week that free food was handed out through this program of pop-up food pantries.

The two elected officials’ staffs are coordinating the distributions, which take place outside their offices – 155 Kings Highway (Assemblyman Colton) and 6514 20^th Avenue (Councilmember Zhuang).

Especially in the current environment, providing essential foods for people in need is critically important, Assemblyman Colton said.

“It’s crucial, especially right now, to make sure that our neighbors have enough to eat,” said Assemblyman Colton. “I have spoken with many of the people who have come by our office to participate, and I know that what we are doing is making a difference for many members of our community, who have been hit hard by spiraling inflation and now by the delay in distributing SNAP benefits.”

“Free food distribution sites across the city are seeing more demand. All community leaders need to step up and meet the basic needs of our New Yorkers. No family should fear if they will be able to eat. I’m proud we are providing necessities to our community,” said Councilmember Zhuang.

The free food distributions are open to everybody, though supplies are obviously limited so when one occurs, it’s first-come, first-served until all the food is given out. Food cannot be held for anyone; you must be present at the distribution to partake.

One of the challenges in coordinating the giveaways is the fact that the not-for-profit group receiving the donations of excess food from area retailers only finds out about the food’s availability in the morning. They then contact the elected officials’ offices, and staffers for the two elected officials get to work organizing the distribution for the same afternoon, meaning that getting the word out on short notice is a critical part of the effort.

Therefore, to facilitate the distributions, a Facebook group that is open to all, entitled Bensonhurst Food Giveaway, was started. In addition, notifications are being posted on WhatsApp via a channel entitled Bensonhurst Food Giveaway, as well as via a TikTok group and an Instagram chat, both under the name Bensonhurst Food Giveaway. These are among the best ways to receive notifications, according to Assemblyman Colton, who also urged people to contact his office, at 718-236-1598, if they want to join an email notification list.

“We want to make sure that everyone who needs food has the opportunity to share in the bounty,” Assemblyman Colton said. “So, please, join one of the groups or give us your email address so we can keep you in the loop, going forward.”