Why She’s a Food Hero: The Mosaic West Queens Church food pantry, led by community member Sofia Moncayo, distributes more than a thousand meals twice a week to families in need. Moncayo coordinates dozens of volunteers and leads fundraisers for the program. Since the pandemic began, the church has served hundreds of hungry residents. Most of the food is donated by the community, but the pantry also received supplies from the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
Background: At the beginning of the pandemic, Moncayo lost her job at a construction company and had trouble finding new work. She turned to the Mosaic West Queens Church, which had started a food distribution initiative in March 2020, and took charge.
Work: Before she took over as the primary coordinator of Mosaic’s food distribution program, Monkey worked for a construction company, and she and her husband own a martial arts studio in Queens.
Location: Sunnyside, Queens
Awards, Praise and Honors: Sofia Moncayo was highlighted in Chicago’s WGN Radio 720 “One Good Thing” series.
Website: Mosaic West Queens Church, Facebook
Resources and References:
- New York Woman Loses Job, Leads Pantry Feeding Thousands (Associated Press)
- After Losing Job, Woman Leads Pantry Feeding Thousands (Associated Press)
