New Jersey: Volunteers from BAPS Charities delivered care packages to over 8,000 families – across North America. The initiative was a joint effort of volunteers of BAPS Charities and the food services affiliate, BAPS Shayona, which provided the food items for the packages.
A significant portion of the deliveries were made to families that are more at risk of exposure. Each of the volunteers who made the deliveries were coached on the proper etiquette of delivering the packages. As per healthcare recommendations, they strictly ensured sanitary practices in the packaging and delivery process. They called ahead to inform the families that our volunteers would be dropping off a care package at their doorstep. After the drop-off, they called to inform the families of the delivery so that they can retrieve it.
Over the past several days, BAPS Charities has also donated over 5,500 N95 masks to local hospitals in the New York and New Jersey areas. To combat anxiety and sense of isolation (especially for the elderly), congregants and volunteers are contacting individuals and families to let them know that they are not alone and to offer their assistance. An elderly gentleman who wished not to be named, said, “I am grateful to these volunteers. Every week, I have received a call to check-in and to see how I am doing and if there is anything they can do to help. Their selflessness is truly remarkable.”
Donation of 1,000 N95 masks in Long Island:
On March 24, 2020, BAPS Charities donated 1,000 N95 masks to North Shore-LIJ Health System in Nassau County, Long Island. Accepting the masks, Dr. Joseph Marino, Medical Director of Northwell/LIJ, expressed his gratitude to BAPS Charities for fulfilling an extremely urgent need.
