Indian community in Rochester comes together to provide pandemic relief

During this time of great difficulty, the Indian community in Rochester has come together to provide vital services and raise money for Rochesterians affected by COVID-19.

Named the COVID-19: Rochester Indian-American Community Fund, in just 10 days the fund has raised over $32,000 to support pandemic-related services. The team behind the fund has delivered 100 bags of groceries this week alone, as part of the South Wedge Food Program. They have also worked with local restaurants and take-out businesses to provide front-line workers with hot meals.

O.P. Gupta, lead coordinator for the new initiative of the Hindu Temple of Rochester, Gurdwara of Rochester, and the India Community Center of Rochester said, “this is coming from the heart as a way for each one of us to serve the community.”

Aside from raising money and delivering food, the Indian community is also helping to coordinate and support volunteers making face masks and CDC-approved isolation gowns. They have recently donated 50 isolation gowns successfully to the Aaron Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Fairport.

The group has set themselves a target of raising $50,00 as Gupta explains, “we didn’t just want to write a check…We wanted people to tell us what they need, and we will help provide it.”

Source:

Democrat & Chronicle