Robin Hood Announces Latest Round of Hurricane Sandy Relief Grants

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At a meeting held November 27, Robin Hood's Relief Fund Committee approved its latest slate of grants to organizations helping victims of Hurricane Sandy.  This grouping includes Robin Hood's first grant to a Connecticut-based organization -- the Connecticut Food Bank -- which serves individuals and families in some of the hardest-hit communities in the state.

With today's announcement, Robin Hood has granted more than $8.4 million to over 90 organizations providing assistance to victims of Hurricane Sandy.  For a complete list, visit www.robinhood.org/rhsandy.

November 27 Grants
Connecticut Food Bank
Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London & Windham Counties
$50,000
The Connecticut Food Bank (CFB) works with 600 emergency food assistance programs in six counties (above).  Hurricane Sandy put tremendous stress on food banks in the areas hard hit by the storm, and the Connecticut Food Bank has seen an increase in demand.  This grant will allow CFB to replenish and assist the food programs that were most affected by Sandy.

Public Health Solutions
Coney Island and The Rockaways
$150,000
Hurricane Sandy caused several hospitals and medical clinics in the region to close indefinitely, and Coney Island Hospital was no exception.  In addition, the Addabbo Family Health Center in the Rockaways reduced its hours, making it difficult for thousands of families to receive not just medical treatment but an array of ancillary services.   Public Health Solutions (PHS) has an expertise in ensuring that families receive their WIC (Women, Infants and Children) benefits, and is developing temporary sites in the Rockaways and Coney Island so that WIC services can resume.  During this three-month period, PHS anticipates that it will serve over 1,300 families a month, providing supplementary food to more than 4,160 people.  Over the course of the three months, this would translate to a total of 3,900 families or 12,480 people served. 

1199 SEIU Bill Michelson Home Care Education Fund
Zone A – includes parts Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island
$25,000
As an independent organization affiliated with the 1199SEIU Health Care Workers East union, the 1199SEIU Bill Michelson Home Care Education Fund trains individuals to be home health aides.  Home health aides provide essential health care services to thousands of elderly, infirm and disabled New Yorkers every day, allowing clients to live independently in the comfort and safety of their own homes.  Many home health aides stayed with clients for extended periods of time during Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath; others were unable to get to work and lost wages as a result.  This funding will help make up for those lost wages.

Legal Services of New York
Zone A – includes parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island
$45,000
Since Hurricane Sandy struck, LSNY has been traveling throughout Zone A – the areas of NYC hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy -- helping people navigate disaster unemployment benefits, amend FEMA applications, appeal FEMA denials and resolve housing issues.  To augment a previous grant from Robin Hood for staffing, this grant will provide for additional technical equipment that will enable them to serve more clients with greater efficiency.   

Media Contact
Patty Smith
Robin Hood
212-844-3562

SOURCE Robin Hood