Our History

        Community Services of Far Rockaway started twenty-eight years ago under the name, Loving Care Center, an auxiliary of Battalion Pentecostal Assembly Inc. The organization started as a soup kitchen, distributing hot meals to the community once weekly. This venture blossomed into a panty program which was an addition to the soup kitchen. The team recognized that Rockaway being a food desert, greatly needed food; hence a fifty-foot container was purchased to accommodate the food pantry and other services needed in the community and beyond. In addition, a second fifty-foot trailer was purchased as the demands for food increased and the number of referrals for counseling increased. One trailer was used as office space to conduct interviews of food recipients, nutrition classes, counseling services, and healthy eating and food preparation classes. The other trailer was equipped with three refrigerators and 2 freezers to be used for storage, with a grant from United Way, our organization was able to expand and include an organic garden. Produce from this garden was distributed to the community alongside other items from the pantry. This addition was pivotal because residents now received fresh, organic, nutritious produce. The project continued for about twelve years and was considered the most extensive pantry program serving community members twice weekly for five hours daily. Unfortunately, Hurricane Sandy caused great devastation to this venture. The trailers had to be destroyed due to mold in the walls. In addition, the garden soil was damaged due to its containment of excess salt. Despite the unpredictable destruction, the organization obtained its 501c3 and changed its name from Loving Care Center to Community Services of Far Rockaway.

       Community Services of Far Rockaway could not operate similarly without an operating cost of over $250,000 to rebuild what was lost based on the new operational requirements for pantries. This cost was beyond the budget of the organization. In addition, the condition requested to reopen the soup kitchen was beyond the organization’s capability. Nevertheless, CSFR partnered with National Grid to serve over 60,000 families during the pandemic. CSFR also partnered with twelve other governmental agencies to assist families in Rockaway; for example, the organization continued to operate by referring community members to various agencies. Moreover, being steadfast and true to the organization’s mission – a pop-up pantry was established immediately after Sandy and continued responding to the COVID 19 Pandemic. Networking Agencies EFAP, TFAP, and HYNAP – provided vouchers to pay for dry goods, frozen vegetables, and the meat distributed to the community. United Way – provided cash used to pay stipends, promote operational costs, and the purchasing materials Food Bank and Citi Harvest – provided food for distribution. CSFR continues to seek opportunities to meet the needs of the community by networking with food hubs and other governmental agencies.