Even donating something as simple as bottled water can help!

The Riverside Church needs your help! Today is the last major volunteering day for Hurricane Sandy Relief/Recovery. Sundays are typically their busiest and least staffed days. You can stop by to lend your time or bring a donation at any point until 7pm tonight.

Volunteer efforts have recently transitioned from relief to recovery. Many displaced people now find themselves in shelters. These shelters need supplies that are different from those that were necessary for the initial relief efforts. Beyond that, there have been unforeseeable difficulties that people in the surrounding communities have suffered as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.  Unfortunately, while we relaxed on our days off, people affected by schools and businesses being shut down were doing just the opposite. Parents had to provide food and care for their children who normally are in school on weekdays. This put a strain on many people’s pantries and wallets. Places like the Riverside Church are in desperate need of help as they continue their community support efforts.

The church is asking for donations of the following:

• Water
• Non-Perishable Foods
• Tote Bags
• Blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Shovels & Rakes
• Flashlights & Batteries
• Cleaning Supplies
• First Aid Kits
• Unused Outerwear (Jackets & Sweaters for all ages)

All these things can be found in the stores surrounding Morningside Heights. If you plan on volunteering or bringing by any donations, just stop by the Stone Gym at the Riverside Church on the corner of 120th St. and Claremont Avenue. Let us not forget that we are members of Columbia University in The City of New York and our community needs help!

Provisions left over from Hurricane Sandy that you could donate via Wikimedia Commons