Oyate Group delivers turkeys

Through its Bronx Rise Leadership initiative, the Oyate Group has helped out impoverished people throughout New York City, including greater Riverdale. This Thanksgiving they distributed more than 2,000 frozen turkeys to combat food insecurity.

Partnering with 13 organizations, agencies and institutions, Oyate Group ensured New York residents and homeless who are marginalized by food deserts had access to a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner.

“We are incredibly grateful to our partners, friends and local leaders for helping us organize our largest Thanksgiving turkey drive to date,” said Tomas Ramos, chief executive and founder of Oyate.

“Our goal is to provide respite to families that lack adequate access to affordable and fresh food by mobilizing our community to take action. If one person starves, the whole village starves.”

Oyate Group has given food to thousands of families over the past three years, including distributing more than 3,800 turkeys since November 2020, the height of the pandemic. Its’ Bronx Rise Leadership program empowers rising high school sophomores and juniors looking to become creators and critical thinkers.

Oyate is also known for vaccinating more than 40,000 people from the Bronx deemed “unreachable” by the city during the pandemic.

Nearly $40K raised for IDF

Abigail Marcus with the help of the Jewish community has raised nearly $40,000 to pay for full gear, supplies and duffel bags for the Israel Defense Fund troops, according to Marcus. According to a Facebook post, she reported how people have donated money through a gelt for gear campaign in order to make Chanukah brighter. She also mentioned how they have collected 180 duffel bags filled with gear and supplies donated from the greater Riverdale community.

“We still need your support in order to fulfill gear/supply requests. Requests are still coming in and it would be great to continue to operate at this capacity,” she wrote.

For more information go to Abby’s Facebook page.

Senior class walk at IN-Tech

IN-Tech Academy is planning its inaugural college march Dec. 15 around the neighborhood of the school, according to Principal David Weissberg.

The school is celebrating the future of its seniors and their post-secondary school accomplishments.

The schedule is:

• 9 a.m.-10 a.m.: Speakers (elected officials and principal)

• 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: College march

• 11:30 a.m.-noon: Speakers (senior, school staff and alumni)

• Noon-1 p.m.: Lunch

• 1 p.m.-2:40 p.m.: Senior activities