There are a growing number of local entities seeking and distributing donations of food, water, blankets, garbage bags, work gloves, batteries, cell phone chargers and cleaning supplies. We are asking you to please support a local volunteer or donation effort.

Our Queens staff are working with the office of Jimmy Van Bramer and have been bringing donations directly to his office all week at 47-01 Queens Boulevard, Suite 205. This location will be open Saturday November 3rd between 10am and 2pm to continue accepting donations. For further information please check the Council Member’s website: http://www.jimmyvanbramer.com.

State Senator Jose Peralta’s office will also accept donations tomorrow Saturday, November 3, between 10am -1 pm at his East Elmhurst office at 32-37 Junction Boulevard, please call 718/205-3881 for further details.

The New York Irish Center (1040 Jackson Avenue, in Long Island City) is gathering emergency donations of water, blankets, toiletries, jackets, diapers, baby items, canned goods, and batteries on Saturday, November 3, between 10am and 1pm and again on Sunday November 4th between Noon & 8pm, which they will then arrange to deliver to areas in Rockaway and Breezy Point.

Donations are also being accepted by the Aisling Irish Center on Saturday November 3, 2012 between 10 am and 2pm @ 990 McLean Avenue in Yonkers. For further details please contact the center at (914) 237-5121 or look for details on their Facebook page or on their website http://www.aislingcenter.org

Please note the website for requesting Federal aid and assistance http://www.fema.gov. For further information related to the aplication process please contact siobhand@eiic.org.

Many in the NYC area are still without electricity, so we are suggesting that if you are without power that you remain inside for your safety as crews assess downed power lines and open manholes. If possible check on your neighbors especially the elderly. Local updates and reports from Con Edison are currently advising that it could be NEXT weekend before power is restored to some areas. We hope it will be sooner, as our own phones remain out of service for both EIIC office locations and our Bronx office is currently without power as is much of Woodlawn.

If you need to reach our offices or staff urgently, we have the following mobile phones being monitored by EIIC staff: Queens (646) 545-7214 Bronx (718) 404-6481.

Our Meals on Wheels program was resumed in Woodlawn, Wednesday October 31,  we did not deliver meals last Monday and Tuesday. Thanks are due to the wonderful efforts of several of our staff who braved many elements to continue this lifeline. We are expanding delivery service throughout this weekend (we normally run weekdays only) and we will be purchasing additional meals to give to those we find locally in need.  Additionally, hurricane victims have been reaching out to our social services team and we are responding to each emergency on a case by case basis. In some cases, families with children we know have lost everything. We will be providing support as clients reach out to us and we will assist with access to benefits, FEMA and other local resources.

Immigration appointments with USCIS

Many USCIS offices have been closed over the past number of days. All applicants appointments will be rescheduled to the next available appointment date; applicants do not need to do anything to request a rescheduled date. However walk-ins will be processed on a case-by-case basis.

If you plan to visit a USCIS office in an area affected by the severe weather or you believe may be affected by severe weather, please call the number listed below to ensure the office is open for business and for further instructions on rescheduling your appointment if the office is closed.

National Customer Service Center (NCSC) 1-800-375-5283