GROUP ORGANIZED FOOD DRIVE

The East Sixties Neighborhood Association, in cooperation with the St. Tropez condominium building staff, donated 24 cartons of food to a local pantry.

The building and community group organized the food drive, which ended Dec. 16, for the Jan Hus Neighborhood House, at 340 E. 64th St.

“We conducted a food drive last year that was very successful,” said Barry Schneider, director of the neighborhood group. “We called [the Jan Hus Neighborhood House] again this year and they said that they would welcome anything that we could do for them.”

The organization has seen an increase in the number of people seeking services, according to Rev. Ray Bagnuolo of Jan Hus Neighborhood House. About 70 people a day come in for food or clothing, up from 30 people last year.

“A food drive like St. Tropez is absolutely critical to serve the people who come to us hungry,” Bagnuolo said. “We’re on the edge. The food we get goes right back out the door.”