(Eagle News) – The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) recently conducted an International Aid to Humanity in Long Island City in New York, particularly for the tenants of Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing development in North America.
The INC, upon the directive of INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, gave more than 1,200 goodwill bags, containing food and other items of immediate need, to the residents of Queensbridge in the morning of Sept. 14.
The relief distribution in Queensbridge, conducted through the efforts of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, happened as volunteers of the INC were also preparing its massive relief distribution in the Philippines for those hit and severely affected by typhoon Ompong in the Philippines.
“For you guys to come out here and to do this is so overwhelming. We so appreciate this. We’re so grateful,” said April Simpson, President of the Queensbridge Tenant Association.
“You guys came out in droves and you were wonderful,” she said.
Many of the residents of the Queensbridge housing community were also amazed with the relief distribution efforts of the Church.
Prior to the distribution of goodwill bags, attendees witnessed a 30-minute introduction video on the Iglesia n Cristo, including its many outreach projects throughout the world such as eco-farming and community settlement projects in Africa and the Philippines.
“What you all are doing is amazing. It really is amazing what you all are doing here. It’s a gift from God,” said Donna, a resident of Queensbridge.
Tahira Lowe, another Queensbridge resident, said that the help they received that morning was “wonderful” and thanked the Church of Christ for doing the activity to their community.
They also thanked the INC Church Administration led by Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo for the “International Aid to Humanity” which benefited their community.
Simpson in a later post in her Facebook page, again expressed appreciation for the INC’s efforts to help them.
“I want to thank them for all the great works they do, not only in our Community but around the World,” she said.
“Thank God for what they did today. Praise God for HE IS WORTHY OF ALL THE PRAISE for bringing them to serve our Community. Blessings!!!” she added.
The Queensbridge Housing project was established in 1939. It currently has over 7,000 people from all walks of life living in its community housing.
Based on records, 48% of Long Island City’s population are burdened with rent, and 19% live within the poverty level.
After the INC’s “International Aid to Humanity” in Queensbridge in New York on Sept. 14, the Church also conducted a similar event at the American Legion office in Hartford, Connecticut later in the day.
(with a video report from Don Orozco, Eagle News Service correspondent in the US)
