THROGGS NECK, the Bronx — A Bronx restaurant is stepping up to help children amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Mamajuana Cafe in Throggs Neck will give out lunch bags “for the children of our community” from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and then again between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“As a community, we want to help relieve one stress during these difficult times,” Mamajuana Cafe wrote in a Facebook post. “We do not want any child in our community to miss a meal.”
As of Monday, children are home from school. The city is still serving meals to students. Each day, 900,000 meals are served to students in city schools.
“We know that for many families, school is the only place to get meals for the day and that need continues even if a school closes,” an Education Department spokeswoman previously told PIX11. “If a school is closed for 24 hours we’re prepared to serve grab-and-go breakfast and lunch for any student who wants it.”
The week of Monday, March 15, there will be grab-and go meals at school buildings. They’ll be available at school start time. Students are not supposed to stay in the building or eat the food there. The city is working on other sites that will be able to get food to children beyond this week.
“We’re going to be doing a lot of work in the coming days to make sure food is readily available,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday.
Mamajuana Cafe is asking anyone who wants to contribute to the cause to direct message them.
The cafe is located at 3233 East Tremont Avenue.
