The Mets and their Community Investment Group are spending over $1 million on COVID-19 relief efforts in both Queens and the surrounding tri-state area.
Since the initial outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the Mets’ organization has reached out to several local hospitals, senior citizen homes, and food pantries in and around New York City.
“In March, when this thing took full hold, we looked to see where the biggest need was,” Mets’ executive director of external affairs and community engagement Danielle Parillo said during an interview with The Post, “and we didn’t have to look very far.”
The donation efforts began with helping feed doctors and nurses at Elmhurst Hospital. With the help of one of their long-time local sandwich partners Mama’s of Corona, which Parillo mentions as “a staple to Citi Field,” the organization recently provided 500 individual boxed lunches and Italian cookies to the medical staff.
Once the outbreak began to stabilize, the Mets chipped in at food pantries and local schools, including P.S. 19, the largest elementary school in the city with over 2,000 students, of which 30 percent live at or below the poverty line. Parillo said that before the organization offered their assistance, one woman was running the school’s food pantry with her own money, and tried to organize deliveries with families affected by the virus.
“Basically, we’re going where the need is,” Parillo said. “People are out of work, can’t pay rent, or even put food on their tables. We help support over 50,000 families with food donations and other assistance.”
Besides the food donations, the organization continues to donate t-shirts, masks, and even plans to donate school supplies in the fall. They’ve also participated in several opportunities to boost local morale, including scheduling Zoom calls between Mets alumni and assisted-living communities.
“We sent over some promotional items and nice swag for them to have,” Parillo said. “Then when we brought up the idea of Zoom calls, they were very interested. The other day, Ron Swoboda, a hero from the ‘69 team, went on and really put a smile on their faces. For the people at the facility, it makes their day.”