It is the People’s Store. That’s what they call an outdoor space between 34th Avenue and 77th Street where every Monday dozens of Jackson Heights residents turn to look for free clothes and shoes.
“We have people who don’t have clothes, they don’t have homes, they don’t have food and that’s why it’s our obligation to be here,” explained Evelyn Heilbron, director of the People’s Store.
Evelyn… is its founder. She started this project with the pandemic and has been dressing those most in need for more than two years.
Community Center Service, or the Community Service Center, its official name, has the help of more than 20 volunteers.
All the clothes are donated by residents of the same community, such as Luis Rosado, who collects them from the neighbors of the building where he lives.
“For children, for people who sometimes don’t have enough resources to get something, that’s how they can be helped,” Rosado said.
Helibron and Escobar.
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Here they also distribute home covid tests.
“Because Covid is increasing in our community, so we want people not to be so blind, that they become aware and get tested at home,” said Oscar Escobar, volunteer manager.
In addition to clothing, shoes and home tests for Covid, food is also distributed here for about 400 families a week.
“I thank God very much because they have made God bless him greatly,” said María Jerez, a neighbor.
But this Monday Maria and hundreds of neighbors ran out of supplies due to lack of donations.
This organization functions as an intermediary for larger community organizations, which sometimes cannot supply them.
“It is not easy because one is used to people, who always come and find their pantry and arrive and say there is no food is like a child saying ‘no, there is no food today,’ so it is hard,” Escobar added.
Members of this organization ask the city government for direct funds to operate this community defense.
If you need or want to donate clothes, shoes or food, the People’s Store operates every Monday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. between 34th Avenue and 77th Street in Jackson Heights. For more information you can call 332-228-8525.
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