Make a Donation at Zelle–MoxieYonkers@gmail.com
By Dan Murphy
It’s that time of year when all of us should try to make an effort to help others for the holidays. One easy way to do that is to help Jordan Mendez, a freshman at Yonkers-Middle High School, who has started a food and clothing drive to help families having a tough time with inflation and the rising costs of everything.
Jordan is a graduate of the Charter School for Educational Excellence, CSEE, and a Boy Scout from Troop 4. Recently his troop volunteered at the Tour de Yonkers bike event. “At the Tour de Yonkers we had a lot of excess food, and I didn’t want it to go to waste, so we came to St. John’s Church, Getty Square, and offered it to people who were just walking by. One person said she knew people who were having troubles affording food and that made me think about a way to help.”
“I know most people want to help but don’t know how. So I came up with the idea of doing something and giving everyone the chance to help. “
The name of Jordan’s endeavor is Yonkers Moxie Project. “Moxie is a word that stood out to me. It’s about determination, and we need that to help lift up our community.”
Together with his mother, Khaleelah Bond, the two have “put our brains together and find out how we can serve our community. It has been a rough three years for a lot of people, and many are food insecure.”
Jordan says that students and staff at Yonkers Middle-High School have joined in the effort. “I put out donation boxes at my school and got a great response.”
In addition to food, Jordan wanted to collect clothing because “I found a lot of students at my school who felt insecure about their clothes. I was able to collect more than 200 pounds of clothes.”
And Khaleelah, who works at a dental office, was able to get a large donation of dental supplies that will also be handed out.
A few supermarkets in Yonkers have also agreed to help-Whole Foods, and Shoprite, with the hope that others will come aboard. Turkeys are the best donation, but all food items will be accepted.
The plan is to have a giveaway on Wed. Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving, at The Yonkers Salvation Army, 110 New Main Street, between 1pm-6pm.
Meals may also be served, depending on the response and the number of donations.
I made a donation, and was impressed by the compassion of this young man, who hopes to get involved in politics in Yonkers one day so that, “I can use my position to help the community that I live in and want to serve. Until then, I hope this becomes an annual event and helps people.”
The easiest way to support this effort is to visit Zelle and make a contribution to the email-MoxieYonkers@gmail.com.
If you want to make a donation of food or clothing, take it to the Salvation Army. Larger donations can be coordinated through Jordan and his mom by emailing yonkersmoxie@gmail.com , or by calling 914-709-5311.
Editor’s Note: I hope this story has inspired you to try and make a positive difference in someone’s life this Holiday Season. Or at least to make a donation to Jordan’s Yonkers Moxie Project. And have a Happy Thanksgiving!
