BY BRITTANY INESON
Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island is looking to give back as the war against the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.
In response, OLA has been bringing together volunteers to collect and distribute food to families on the East End who are in dire need of assistance. Many families do not have transportation, are disabled, have underlying health conditions, young children at home, and are just looking for a little help.
“This is an ongoing effort,” said Minerva Perez, OLA’s executive director. “We have received much-needed private funds to help support this effort.”
East Hampton local artist and singer Maria Bacardi is one of the local supporters helping to make this possible.
“We have also received large food donations from the Triune Baptist Church in Sag Harbor,” Perez said. “We are in this together.”
OLA is covering some of the grocery costs for most critical needs. The initiative serves close to 100 people on a weekly basis and has close to 30 volunteers. While OLA focuses most of its efforts on the East End, it has also been able to connect volunteers to families in need as far west as Wyandanch.
“Towns and villages are asked to please share information related to food and other critical local COVID-19 updates in Spanish and English,” Perez said. “Communication is key.”
For more information on OLA, call 631-899-3441 or visit www.olaofeasternlongisland.org.