Volunteers Team Up To Provide Vegetarian Meals To Underserved Harlem Residents
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A unique group of volunteers from all walks of life have been coming together every week to feed Harlem's hungry.
As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, they offer fresh, healthy vegetarian meals.
Gary Ashby told CBS2's Baker that he is concerned about growing poverty in him neighborhood.
"This is needed very badly. A godsend you could say," Ashby said.
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The group comes together every Wednesday, on 116th Street to feed the underserved.
Hindus joined with other volunteers to start the grassroots effort more than 15 years ago.
"We call this Healthy Harlem Project because the neighborhood here is not served properly so we want to introduce a vegetarian healthy diet," Hemant said.
This week the group was joined by FEMA and Americorps Volunteers sent by the White House.
"When I was younger we came from a lower-income family and just the thought of giving back is of interest to me," Najee Pitts said.
Chef Rajiv Lekhi makes what he calls 'soul food.'
"Beans, pasta, cabbage, and rice. Mild spices," he explained.
The need is great. The line right off Adam Clayton Powell Blvd can grow to more than 300. The volunteers serve until every hungry mouth is fed.
"I'm a humanitarian. I'm a veteran and this is what I do. I 'm positive, and I'm glad you are here because maybe someone can open their heart, volunteer, donate," Chris Gill said.
The group's motto, 'They may not be rich with money, but they are rich with spirit.'
