Progressive Americans Community Empowerment (PACE), one of few Pakistani community organizations that work beyond community lines, joined several Long Island-based health, business and community organizations at a ‘community resource day’, organized by Pronto on Saturday, February 11.
Pronto is one of the largest pantries on Long Island which runs several public welfare programs, including running a pantry, a thrift shop, etc. Besides PACE, Long Island Cares, United Health, Northwell Health, Stoney Brook Medicine, Fidelis Care, American Red Cross, PSEG, NY Community Bank, Brentwood Public Library, several local businesses, including real estate businesses, had set up more than 75 stalls outside a mall in Brentwood, Long Island.
Several hundred visitors who showed up were offered not just information about free services and resources that these organizations offer but also free blood pressure, free mammogram, free COVID tests, free flu shots, free HIV testing, free COVID vaccine shots, free personal hygiene items, etc., and free food. Halal food was especially offered by PACE to increase awareness about Halal food.
Saeed Hassan, PACE chairman and leading businessman of the Pakistani American community in New York, was among several prominent Long Islanders who attended the event. Hassan earlier in the day met Long Island Cares President and CEO Paule Pachter, Elisa Distefano from News12 and Newsday TV and others at Advocacy Training Program arranged by LI Cares. The training entailed subjects like how to pitch a story to TV, radio, or newspaper and the broad editorial process to enable community organizations to get better coverage.
At the training, Pachter and Distefano were among those who addressed the training session. Hassan spoke of the Muslim Community’s generosity and how many Muslims avoid taking advantage of available government resources because of the use of their self-respect. He emphasized that many Muslim community members may need more free mental health support and resources and may be more receptive to such services.
“PACE believes in social responsiveness and civic engagement. Such events will raise awareness within the community about the incredible work of many business houses, health delivery systems, and community organizations and the numerous free services that they offer,” Hassan told Pakistan Week. He praised the contribution of all the organizations that showed up and their leaders for their leadership and vision to empower minorities, immigrants, and communities of color. PACE shared its experience of running a Halal food pantry since 2021 and provided food at the event as well.
Bay Shore, Long Island,- based Pronto of Long Island provides food to families in the community in need. The majority of the food is provided by donations from Community Partners, Food Drives, and the private sector.
Long Island Cares – The Harry Chapin Food Bank has been on a mission to feed Long Island’s food insecure and stamp out the root causes of hunger since our founding by the late Harry Chapin in 1980.
Glimpses of the event (Photos courtesy PACE)
