Subways have become the shelter of over 2,000 homeless in NYC. The streets have become the homes of at least 6,000 New Yorkers. The shelter system in NYC is comprised of about 67,000 people--70% of which are families, 40% of which are children. Children make up the largest demographic of homelessness in America.
About
Mission: To end hunger in America by utilizing food excess from catering companies, restaurants, schools, grocery stores and businesses for the homeless and food insecure.
Catering for the Homeless, Inc. utilizes food excess throughout the state of New York for the homeless, poor, and food insecure by connecting catering companies, grocery stores, schools, and restaurants with a growing network of soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, churches, nonprofits, and street outreach who are able to distribute this food waste to those in need in every way possible.
Approximately 133 billion pounds of food goes to waste every year in America, while 50 million families in this country experience hunger on a regular basis. There is literally enough food being wasted that no one needs to be going hungry.
Catering for the Homeless, Inc. (CFTH) is the solution to hunger because our mission is to get that quality food that has been going to waste to anyone who needs it. Once the infrastructure is in place on the website, we will be able to expand this into a national program, and one day we hope that we may even be able do this work around the world.
-Crystal Wolfe
Founder and President
EIN: 83-1434306
501(c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS
SUCCESSES AND VICTORIES
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CFTH has worked to provide meals since January 2017 to the homeless and food insecure in church lunches and dinners, soup kitchens, food pantries, to the homeless and migrant workers on the streets, parks, and on the subways:
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2017--Provided 3,000 meals, 500 bags of toiletries and food to the homeless on the streets and on the subways equaling about 2,300 meals, and 100 Christmas toys for homeless children.
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2018--Provided 25,000 meals, 5,000 toiletries, 1,000 clothes items, 1,000 socks, 500 bags of food and toiletries and clothes to the homeless on the streets and subways equaling about 2,500 items, and 250 Christmas toys for homeless children.
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2019--Provided 50,000 meals, 20,000 toiletries, 10,000 clothes items, 5,000 socks, and 2,500 Christmas toys for homeless children.
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2020--Provided 850,000 meals, 50,000 toiletries, 50,000 non-perishable food items, 10,000 clothes items, 100,000 pounds of fresh produce, home deliveries of 2,000 meals to families serving 500 families, 7,000 socks, and 3,000 pounds of food items to dogs and cats.
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2021--Provided/served 476,100 meals, 33,000 non-perishable food items, 2,000 pounds of fresh produce, 4,500 toiletries, 4,100 clothes items, 600 pounds of food items to dogs and cats, 3,000 socks, and approximately 2,500 breads and pastries.
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2022--Raised 4,000 masks, 1,500 socks, 400 toiletry, non-perishable food, and clothing items, and 107,000 meals and people served throughout New York.
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2023--Raised 1,050 socks, 700 clothing items, and helped to serve 11,500 meals and people served throughout New York.
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The publication of a comprehensive book on homelessness by Founder of Catering for the Homeless, Crystal Wolfe, Our Invisible Neighbors: Accounts, Causes, and Solutions to the Epidemic of Homelessness. With at least 100 Author Talks and weekly speaking engagements to advocate for the homeless and educate thousands of community members each year (before the Coronavirus struck and all public engagements were cancelled).
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Founder Crystal Wolfe has provided shelter for a few homeless people in the past few years to help them to get back on their feet.
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Catering for the Homeless pays for the medication and doctor visits of the homeless and destitute on an individual basis.
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Catering for the homeless also provides food and works to get homes for homeless animals.
Incentive for Catering Companies: Food donations to churches and non-profits are a tax write-off. You can go to the website link below to download the tax form for this, or speak to your attorney about it. This organization is also willing to sign a contract excepting all liability for food donations.
Link for tax deduction information: http://finance.zacks.com/can-donated-food-written-off-deduction-taxes-2368.html
NOTE FOR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN NEW YORK: Schools from the Pre-K to the University Level in New York State are now required by law to give the food that they can to nonprofits who rescue the food waste for the homeless and food insecure, or compost organically what cannot be donated. A copy of this bill from Senator Joseph Addabbo can be found at https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2017/S5664B.
Please support our Petition to the Department of Education by signing this petition, if you believe schools should donate their food excess to charities that can distribute their food excess to the less fortunate. Please also share this information with any contacts who you believe would be support this effort: https://www.change.org/p/department-of-education-petition-for-ny-schools-to-donate-excess-food-to-alleviate-hunger-crisis
National Good Samaritan Laws protect food donating. The law reads as follows:
Protection for Food Partners:
The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
Billions of pounds of food and groceries go to waste each year. To encourage companies and organizations to donate healthy food that would otherwise go to waste, they are protected from criminal and civil liability under the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.
On October 1, 1996, President Clinton signed this act to encourage donation of food and grocery products to non-profit organizations for distribution to individuals in need. This law:
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Protects you from liability when you donate to a non-profit organization;
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Protects you from civil and criminal liability should the product donated in good faith later cause harm to the recipient;
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Standardizes donor liability exposure. You or your legal counsel do not need to investigate liability laws in 50 states; and
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Sets a floor of "gross negligence" or intentional misconduct for persons who donate grocery products. According to the new law, gross negligence is defined as "voluntary and conscious conduct by a person with knowledge (at the time of conduct) that the conduct is likely to be harmful to the health or well-being of another person."
The text of the bill itself follows:
The Bill Emerson Food Donation Act
One Hundred Fourth Congress of the United States of America
At the Second Session
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six.
The GOOD SAMARITAN ACT: To encourage the donation of food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations for distribution to needy individuals by giving the Model Good Samaritan Food Donation Act the full force and effect of law.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. CONVERSION TO PERMANENT LAW OD MODEL GOOD SAMARITAN FOOD DONATION ACT AND TRANSFER OF THAT ACT TO CHILD NUTRITION ACT OF 1966.
(a) Conversion to Permanent Law. -- Title IV of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 is amended --
1. by striking the title heading and sections 401 and 403 (42 U.S.C. 12671 and 12673); and
2. in section 402 (42 U.S.C. 12672) --
(A) in the section heading, by striking "model" and inserting "Bill Emerson"
(B) in subsection (a), by striking "Good Samaritan" and inserting "Bill Emerson Good Samaritan:"
(C) in subsection (b)(7), to read as follows:
"(7) GROSS NEGLIGENCE. -- The term 'gross negligence' means voluntary and conscious conduct (including a failure to act) by a person who, at the time of the conduct, knew that the conduct was likely to be harmful to the health or well-being of another person.";
(D) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
"(c) LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES FROM DONATED FOOD AND GROCERY PRODUCTS.
"(1) LIABILITY OF PERSON OR GLEANER. -- A person or gleaner shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food or an apparently fit grocery product that the person or gleaner donates in good faith to a nonprofit organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals.
"(2) LIABILITY OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. -- A nonprofit organization shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condition of apparently wholesome food or an apparently fit grocery product that the nonprofit organization received as a donation in good faith from a person or gleaner for ultimate distribution to needy individuals.
"(3) EXCEPTION. -- Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to an injury to or death of an ultimate user or recipient of the food or grocery product that results from an act or omission of the person, gleaner or nonprofit organization, as applicable, constituting gross negligence or intentional misconduct."; and
(E) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following: "Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede State or local health regulations.".
(b) TRANSFER TO CHILD NUTRITION ACT OF 1966. -- Section 402 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12762) (as amended by subsection (a))
1. is transferred from the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966;
2. is re-designated as section 22 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; and
3. is added at the end of such Act.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT. -- The table of contents for the National and Community Service Act of 1990 is amended by striking the items relating to title IV.
Newt Gingrich
Our Invisible Neighbors: Accounts, Causes, and Solutions to Homeless in the 21st Century...
A picture of my preparations in making up these bags of food for the homeless.
Founder & President Crystal Wolfe is the author of a comprehensive book on homelessness, Our Invisible Neighbors: Accounts, Causes, & Solutions to the Epidemic of Homelessness.
Synopsis: Homelessness is an issue that is as complex as the people involved. This comprehensive book on homelessness explores the causes that have resulted in this epidemic—the arms and legs, and the heart and soul of it. Our Invisible Neighbors includes 12 personal accounts of people who have been homeless throughout the United States, an account from a man who was homeless as a child in the Dominican Republic, and a chapter with the synopsis of 107 celebrities who were once homeless.
These stories of homelessness are from people of all ages, genders, races, and walks of life. These accounts include experiences of living on the subways, streets, in cars, parks, homeless shelters, and hotel shelters. Most importantly, several chapters explore the solutions of homelessness--how Finland, Canada, and certain cities and states in America have ended or greatly reduced the crisis of homelessness in their countries. This "cause of the heart" can be overcome through understanding, determination, and love for the people who have become Our Invisible Neighbors.
Links to buy Our Invisible Neighbors by Crystal Wolfe:
Link to purchase from Amazon and Kindle:
Link to purchase from the Barnes and Nobles Bookstore:
OTHER NOVELS BY CRYSTAL WOLFE
Volume One of The Creation Series: Where the Shadows Meet the Light, Volume Two of The Creation Series: In the Origin of Time, Volume Three of The Creation Series: As the Ashes Rise to Life, The Resurrected Dream: A Collection of Poetry & Prose from an Awakened Soul
All Novels by Crystal Wolfe are available on Amazon, Kindle, in Bookstores, and in Libraries upon request.
Ridgewood Presbyterian Church (Queens, NY)
St Matthias Church (Queens, NY)
SoupKitchen411 (National)
St Sebastian in Woodside (Queens, NY)
St Sebastian Academy (Queens, NY)
Queen of Angels in Sunnyside (Queens, NY)
St Raphael's Church Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
St Teresa's Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Corpus Christi Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
St Mary's Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Methodist Church Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Hope Center Development Corporation (NYC)
Manhattan Church of Christ (Manhattan, NY)
Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (Manhtattan, NY)
Metro Baptist Church (Manhattan, NY)
Manhattan Church of Christ (Manhattan, NY)
City-Wide Sock Drives by Regina Shanley (Queens, NY)
Metropolitan Community Church (Manhattan, NY)
Department of Homeless Services (NYC)
Coalition for the Homeless (NYC)
City Harvest (NYC)
NYC Rescue Mission (NYC)
The Bowery Mission (Manhattan, NY)
All Saints Parish in Ridgewood (Queens, NY)
American Red Cross (National)
The Cable Playhouse Dinner Theater (Manhattan, NY)
St Margaret's Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Hungry Monk Rescue Truck (Queens/Brooklyn, NY)
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (Queens, NY)
Together We Can Community Center, Inc. (Queens, NY)
Methodist Church in Jackson Heights (Queens, NY)
Goodwill NY NJ (NYC)
New Life Fellowship Church (Queens, NY)
The Rock Church (Queens, NY)
House of Good Deeds (NYC)
Sunnyside Shines (Queens, NY)
Evangel Fellowship Church (Allentown, PA)
Food Pantry in Forest Hills (Queens, NY)
Salvation Army (Brooklyn/Queens, NY)
Pan Am/Boulvevard Family Shelter (Queens, NY)
Our Lady of Miracles (Brooklyn, NY)
Pro Sanctity Movement (Brooklyn, NY)
PS 306 in Woodhaven (Queens, NY)
Hollis Queens Public Library (Queens, NY)
College Point Shelter (Queens, NY)
Westhab Shelter Provider (NYC)
St John's University (NYC)
Steiner Studios (NYC)
Woodhaven Manor Catering and Banquets (Queens, NY)
Transfiguration Church Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
St Stan's Church Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
St Mark's Church Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
COVID Care (Queens, NY)
Rethink NYC (NYC)
The Child Center of NY Latimar Gardens (Queens, NY)
St John's Bread of Life (NYC)
Sleep Inn Men's Shelter (Bronx, NY)
Auburn Hunger Task Force, Inc. (Auburn, NY)
Friends Helping Friends in Cayuga County, Inc. (Auburn, NY)
Saints Peter and John Episcopal Church (Auburn, NY)
Calvary Chapel Food Pantry (Auburn, NY)
Chapel House Women's Shelter (Auburn, NY)
Chapel House Men's Shelter (Auburn, NY)
Cathedral Community Cares (Harlem, NY)
St John the Divine (Harlem, NY)
Javits Center Farm (Manhattan, NY)
Owasco Farmer's Market (Owasco, NY)
Cato's Farmer's Market (Cato, NY)
Auburn Farmer's Co-op Market (Auburn, NY)
Pageant of Steam (Canandigua County, NY)
Cameron's Bakery (Auburn, NY)
Vitale Farm (Auburn, NY)
Owens Orchards (Auburn, NY)
Sixpence Farm (Auburn, NY)
NY Reuse Swaps (NYC)
Baltimore Woods Winter Farmer's Market (Marcellus, NY)
NY Common Pantry (NYC)
Little Yard Farm (Auburn, NY)
Catering by Anastasia (Manhattan, NY)
Catering NYC (Manhattan, NY))
Cantine NYC (Manhattan, NY)
Independent Food Distributor for
Entertainment Food Recovery (NYC)
The Jacob C. Javits Center (Manhattan, NY)
Centerplate Catering (Intenational)
Levy Restaurants (National)
Fordham University (Bronx, NY)
The Lincoln Center (Manhattan, NY)
COFFEED (NYC)
Yummy's Catering by Chef Josh (NYC)
Aramark Catering (International)
LOVE, HALLIE Foundation (Queens, NY)
Hallie's Angel's (Queens, NY)
The Floating Hospital Shelter (Queens, NY)
Congresswoman Grace Meng
Senator Joseph P. Addabbo
Senator Mike Giarnaris
Senator John Liu
Assemblyman Brian Barnwell
Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz
Assemblyman Mike Miller
Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas
Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal
Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan
Council Member Robert Holden
Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer
Council Member Paul A. Vallone
Council Member Antonio Reynoso
Community Board 2 of Queens
Community Board 4 of Queens
Community Board 5 of Queens
North Star Shelter (Queens, NY)
The Maspeth Holiday Inn Express (Queens, NY)
Sleep Inn Shelter (Queens, NY)
The Quality Inn (Queens, NY)
Landings Family Shelter (Queens, NY)
CAMBA Women's Shelter (NYC)
Metro Motel Shelter (Queens, NY)
Catholic Migration Services (NYC)
Efficacy Church (Manhattan/Queens, NY)
Rego Park Senior Center (Queens, NY)
Family Shelter in Canarsie (Brooklyn, NY)
Acacia Housing Network (NYC)
Women's Health Equity (NYC)
Latham House (Manhattan, NY)
Immaculate Conception (Queens, NY)
Hanes Sock Drives (National)
Healthcorps (Manhattn, NY)
St Vincent DePaul Food Pantries (NYC)
Our Lady of Fatima Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Elmcor Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Fed Ex Maspeth (Queens, NY)
PS 119 Food Pantry (Queens, NY)
Woodbine Food Pantry (Queen, NY)
Knights of Columbus (Queens/Brooklyn, NY)
Scratch Farmhouse Catering (Seneca Falls, NY)
Federated Church (Port Byron, NY)
Community Action Programs CAP
(Cayuga/Seneca, NY)
Goke Food Pantry (Brooklyn, NY)
Cathedral Community Cares (Harlem, NY)
Hotel Shelters with Families (Auburn, NY)
Auburn Downtown BID's Market (Auburn, NY)
The Finger Lakes Mall (Auburn, NY)
"Art in the Park" in Hoope's Park, (Auburn, NY)
St Alphonsus Food Pantry (Auburn, NY)
Wilczek Farm (Auburn, NY)
Brandy Hill Farm (Auburn, NY)
Horseler Farm (Auburn, NY)
Barclay's Center (Brooklyn, NY)
The Salvation Army (Auburn, NY)
NYC Department of Citywide Administration Services
TeamofPartners
Press Features
for Catering for the Homeless
The Citizen Newspaper
October 5, 2022
The Citizen Newspaper
April 24, 2022
The Citizen Newspaper
March 5, 2022
https://junipercivic.com/juniper-berry/article/debunking-the-myths-of-homelessness
The Juniper Berry Magazine
December 4, 2021
https://junipercivic.com/juniper-berry/article/poetry-2
The Juniper Berry Magazine
September 10, 2021
https://junipercivic.com/juniper-berry/article/catering-with-care
The Juniper Berry Magazine
August 10, 2021
https://junipercivic.com/juniper-berry/article/waste-not-want-not
The Citizen Newspaper
Sunday, August 1st, 2021
The Juniper Berry Magazine
Holiday Edition 2020
Article for CFTH: https://junipercivic.com/juniper-berry/article/the-solution-to-hunger
Article for upcoming book release: https://junipercivic.com/juniper-berry/article/meet-the-author-crystal-wolfe
Current News
The Queens Chronicle
The Juniper Berry Magazine
Summer 2020 Edition
https://indd.adobe.com/view/518c6753-432e-4024-be41-58489e1631a5
Council Member Daniel Drom Newsletter
April 2020
Queens Daily Eagle
April 27th, 2020
https://queenseagle.com/all/glendale-nonprofit-head-steps-up-effort-to-serve-neighbors-in-need?
QNS
April 14th, 2020
Ridgewood Post
Queens Ledger
QNS
AM New York
Whitney Global Media on WVIP 93.5
March, 18, 2020
"The Voices of Worship Show" Radio Show from 10 pm to midnight
Guest Speaker for Women's Empowerment Month
The Innervision Magazine, Intl.
Long Island, NY, and International
https://www.flipsnack.com/innervision/imi-issue-1.html
The Queens Chronicle
Queens Gazette
December 11th, 2019
https://www.qgazette.com/articles/catering-for-the-homeless/
Bayside Live TV
December 2019
https://www.youtube.com/embed/fa3FsoeNOfc?fbclid=Iw
AR1jvGSP1UTfuBGlPfcOk_EubSKc7mVYAUKPTTXztRsFuCAivESSZFnMOHM
The Queens Ledger
The Queens Chronicle
The Queens Chronicle
The Queens Courier
October 10th, 2019
https://digital-editions.qns.com/QC10102019/page_38.html
The Queens Chronicle
Queens Daily Eagle
QNS
The Juniper Berry Magazine
September 2019
http://www.junipercivic.com/juniperberryarticle.asp?nid=6464#.Xe93U-hKjIU
The Queens Gazette
September 12th, 2019
https://www.qgazette.com/articles/a-candid-interview-with-assembly-member-brian-barnwell/
The Tablet
August 17th, 2019
Maspeth Blog
April 9th, 2019
http://maspethblog.com/2019/04/commitment-to-serve-bps-appointments-to-cb5/
The Juniper Berry Magazine
Spring 2019 Edition
http://www.junipercivic.com/juniperberryarticle.asp?nid=6372#.XQuNmIhKjIU
Radio Interview on The Truth to Power Show
with Vijay R. Nathan, entitled, "The Invisible Truth:"
February 11th, 2019
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/truthtopowershow/episodes/2019-02-23T12_35_01-08_00
The Juniper Berry
December 2018
http://www.junipercivic.com/juniperberryarticle.asp?nid=6372#.XfgzxGRKjIV
Link to watch the TV Interview on The Steve Ames Show
Hosted by Steve Ames, which aired in December of 2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watchtime_continue=4&v=i73GBAinQIs
TV Interview on Talents Unlimited
Hosted by Gary Scudero on November 11, 2018
Queens Ledger
August 13th, 2018
Queens Chronicle
August 2018
Go Where Itz At Magazine
July 2018 Edition
The Juniper Berry Magazine
June 2018 Edition
https://indd.adobe.com/view/fa98e0f1-1558-420c-a4f4-7cdba97047aa
The Queens Scene Magazine
June 2018 Edition
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2018-06-20/Features/LocalExpress.html
The Queens Gazette
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2018-06-20/Features/LocalExpress.html
The Queensborough Magazine
http://thisisqueensborough.com/non-profit-catering-for-the-homeless/
Neverending Astoria
http://neverendingastoria.com/2018/05/come-hear-crystal-wolfe-talk-about-her-book-on-homelessness/
The Ridgewood Blog
April 2018
http://ridgewoodblog.org/2018/05/come-hear-crystal-wolfe-talk-book-homelessness/
Op-Ed for the Queens Ledger
April 2018
TV INTERVIEW with Queens Chamber of Commerce
Spring 2018
The Sunnyside Post
March 2018
https://sunnysidepost.com/local-authors-talk-will-share-stories-solutions-homelessness
The Sunnyside Blog
March 2018
http://sunnysideblog.org/1070-2/
The Middle Village Blog
March 2018
Upstart
January 2018
https://medium.com/upstartcity/no-shelter-in-maspeth-queens-9ce9c73968fb
Queens Tribune
http://queenstribune.com/maspeth-resident-caters-homeless/
The Ridgewood Times, Times Weekly, and QNS
November 2017
TV INTERVIEW on Talents Unlimited
Hosted by Gary Scudero on November 2017
Times Ledger
October 2017
Op-Ed for the New York Press
October 2017
http://www.westsidespirit.com/columnsop-ed/20171026/helping-our-invisible-neighbors/2
The Ridgewood Times, Times Weekly, and QNS
October 2017
The Ridgewood Times, Times Weekly, and QNS
http://qns.com/story/2017/02/21/elderly-middle-village-woman-without-home-looks-community-support/
The Ridgewood Times, Times Weekly and QNS
http://qns.com/story/2017/01/06/maspeth-resident-launches-nonprofit-organization-help-feed-homeless/
Clip from the documentary OUTSIDERS, to be released in the summer of 2020, by Carlos Freire,
an award-winning filmmaker and Professor at LaGuardia College
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6azlshc7m7zvzib/CRYSTAL%20Reel%202.mov?dl=0
Contact
TESTIMONIALS
“CRYSTAL WOLFE HAS DONE MORE TO HELP ME THAN ANYONE. HER BOOK,
AND THE WAY SHE TOLD MY STORY IN CHAPTER ONE OF
OUR INVISIBLE NEIGHBORS, REALLY TOUCHED ME."
GERALDINE GROMWALDT, FORMER HOMELESS WOMAN WHO WAS HELPED BY CFTH
“THIS WORK TAKES ON A MONUMENTAL CAUSE THAT HAS BEEN PLAGUING
OUR SOCIETY FOR SOME TIME. MISS WOLFE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT NOT
ONLY RAISING AWARENESS, BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHTING SOLUTIONS.
THIS WORK IS LONG OVERDUE.
PHILIP GENTILE, SOUP KITCHEN 411, INC.
THE CHALLENGE OF LIVING MARGINALLY FOR NEW YORKERS CANNOT BE OVERESTIMATED. FOOD INSECURITY IS A ONLY PART OF A NARRATIVE THAT INVOLVES SYSTEMATIC INEQUITIES, SUCH AS HOUSING SCARCITY, NON-LIVING WAGES,
ISSUES OF IMMIGRATION, GENDER AND RACIAL EXPLOITATION AND OPPRESSION--
TO NAME JUST A FEW.
FOOD INSECURITY IS A PIVOTAL ASPECT OF WORKING WITH MARGINAL AND HOMELESS COMMUNITIES. TO FIND ALLIES IN THIS WORK IS LITERALLY LIKE FINDING A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH, OR AN OASIS IN THE DESERT. CUE CRYSTAL WOLFE, AND THE AMAZING WORK SHE IS DOING COORDINATING AND CONNECTING FOOD SOURCES TO VARIOUS COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY.
AS THE COMMUNITY OF HOPE MINISTER OF OUTREACH FOR THE HOMELESS FOR 30 YEARS, I CAN SAY THAT THE LEADERSHIP, AND THE MINISTRY THAT CRYSTAL WOLFE PROVIDES IS INVALUABLE. WE HAVE HAD THE BLESSING AND GOOD FORTUNE OF WORKING WITH HER, AND SHE ORGANIZES AND CONNECTS US WITH CATERED FOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY GUESTS.
THE RESPONSE FROM OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS ELATION, AS IT PROVES THAT LOVE AND COMPASSION EXISTS OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILIAR CONFOUNDS OF A CHURCH. THE FOOD THAT MISS WOLFE ARRANGES FOR US IS EMBLEMATIC OF A LARGER NARRATIVE, NAMELY THAT AT OUR CORE, NEW YORKERS HAVE HEARTS OF GOLD.
CRYSTAL WOLFE, AND THE MINISTRY SHE PROVIDES THROUGH CATERING FOR THE HOMELESS, DEFINITELY BELONGS IN THIS CATEGORY."
“I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT MS. WOLFE, AND THANK HER FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE HOMELESS CRISIS FACING NEW YORK, AS WELL AS THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS."
NEW YORK ASSEMBLYMAN ANDREW HEVESI, DISTRICT 28
"
"IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE KNOWING MS. WOLFE. SHE IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF WHAT SOCIETY NEEDS MORE OF. WHILE SETTING THE BAR HIGH TO HELP HOMELESS FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN, SHE FOLLOWED UP WITH ACTIONS THAT HELP HOMELESS FAMILIES LIVE DAY-TO-DAY. HER DEDICATION AND COMPASSION NEVER RUN DRY, AND I'M TRULY BLESSED TO KNOW SUCH A CARING PERSON."
DMYTRO FEDKOWSKYJ COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, COMMUNITY BOARD 5 OF QUEENS, NY
"I THINK CRYSTAL WOLFE IS BRAVE FOR TELLING HER STORY."
NEW YORK ASSEMBLYMAN BRIAN BARNWELL, DISTRICT 30
"JUST HOLDING THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS, AND KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS OUT THERE FIGHTING FOR ME, AND THAT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS, MAKES ME FEEL BETTER."
HOMELESS WOMAN IN ALLENTOWN, PA
"I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH MS. WOLFE IN ADDRESSING THE SERIOUS ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS AND HUNGER IN OUR CITY. I TRULY APPRECIATE HER DEDICATION AND COMPASSION TOWARD ASSISTING OTHERS IN NEED."
NEW YORK SENATOR JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, JR., DISTRICT 15
“CRYSTAL WOLFE IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH."
THE NEW YORK PRESS
THE
"CRYSTAL WOLFE HAS BEEN THE UTMOST PROFESSIONAL, AND EXTREMELY ATTENTIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO OUR DONATION REQUESTS AT THE JAVITS CENTER. IN THE CATERING BUSINESS, FOOD DONATIONS ARE TIME-SENSITIVE AS THE FOODS DONATED ARE TYPICALLY PACKAGED AS READY-TO-EAT GOODS. CRYSTAL HAS FACILITATED MANY SAME-DAY PICKUPS WITH HER NETWORK FEEDING COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS IN NEED.
ASIDE FROM HER PROFESSIONALISM, CRYSTAL IS A TRUE HUMANITARIAN WITH A HEART OF GOLD. THIS SHINES THROUGH IN HER WORK, AS YOU ARE LEFT WITH NO DOUBT THAT SHE TRULY CARES ABOUT HELPING THOSE LESS FORTUNATE."
JOHN SHEWCHUK, CENTERPLATE CATERING, @ THE JACOB C. JAVITS CENTER
“THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND NEEDED WORK."
MARK PREHN, THE METRO BAPTIST CHURCH, FOOD JUSTICE COORDINATOR
“OUR INVISIBLE NEIGHBORS IS THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ, AND I'M AN AVID READER. I LOVE THIS BOOK. I COULD'T PUT IT DOWN.
LINDA SMITH, SUPPORTER
"CRYSTAL WOLFE, AN ADVOCATE FOR THE HOMELESS WHO LIVES IN MASPETH, HAS BEEN A REGULAR PRESENCE AT THE CB5 HOMELESS SERVICES COMMITTEE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO INCORPORATING HER IDEAS IN THE LEGISLATION I PLAN TO INTRODUCE."
COUNCIL MEMBER BOB HOLDEN, DISTRICT 30
"GOT MY COPY OF CRYSTAL WOLFE'S BOOK, OUR INVISIBLE NEIGHBORS,
THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE NEEDY, THE POOR,
THE DAY LABORER, AND THE HOMELESS."
JUAN RODRIGUEZ, SECRETARY OF DEANERY QUEENS 2
AT THE QUEEN OF ANGELS IN SUNNYSIDE, QUEENS, NEW YORK
“CRYSTAL WOLFE IS AN OUTSPOKEN ADVOCATE FOR THE HOMELESS WHO RESIDED IN MASPETH. OUR INVISIBLE NEIGHBORS IS AN EXTREMELY WELL-WRITTEN BOOK THAT TAKES A HARD LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR SOCIETY. HER DEDICATION, COMPASSION, HAND HARD WORK, TOWARDS, AND WITH, THE HOMELESS, PROVE THAT ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE."
DEBORAH HARRIS-HALL, VOLUNTEER FROM ST SEBASTIAN'S
"I DON'T KNOW ANYONE ELSE IN NYC WHO GETS ON THE SUBWAYS TO FEED THE HOMELESS. CRYSTAL WOLFE AMAZES ME. I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT. HER BOOK WILL LIVE ON FOREVER. IT COULD HELP SOMEONE 10 YEARS FROM NOW. HER BOOK WILL LIVE ON FOREVER."
VALERIE UJUETA, SUPPORTER OF CFTH
"I'M FROM PUERTO RICO, AND I CAME HERE TO AMERICA WITH MY CHILDREN. DURING THE CORONAVIRUS, CRYSTAL WOLFE CAME AND BROUGHT FOOD TO MY FAMILY MANY TIMES. THE FOOD HELPED US SO MUCH. WE REALLY NEEDED IT. BUT CRYSTAL GAVE US MORE THAN FOOD--SHE SHOWED US THAT SOMEBODY CARES."
RAINA, FAMILY CATERING FOR THE HOMELES BROUGHT FOOD TO IN CORONA, QUEENS, NYC
"I'VE LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY OF MASPETH ALL MY LIFE. I USED TO BE A BIG PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND HAVE VOLUNTEERED FOR MANY ORGANIZATIONS. NOW I'M DISABLED, ELDERLY, AND DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, MY FAMILY AND I HAVE FALLEN ON HARD TIMES. WHEN NO ONE ELSE, AND NO OTHER ORGANIZATION, WOULD HELP US, CRYSTAL WOLFE HAS PROVIDED FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES TO MY FAMILY FOR MONTHS. SHE IS AN ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS."
LUCILLE, FAMILY CATERING FOR THE HOMELES BROUGHT FOOD TO IN MASPETH, QUEENS, NYC
“AS ONE PERSON, CRYSTAL WOLFE DOES MORE TO HELP THE HOMELESS THAN ANY CHURCH, PRIEST, OR ORGANIZATION I KNOW."
SISTER NELLIE LEONILA ALFONSO DACQUEL, MUCP
FORMER SECRETARY OF CATERING FOR THE HOMELESS, INC.
BORN ON NOVEMBER 17, 1942-DIED ON MAY 23RD, 2019
REST IN PEACE MY BELOVED MOTHER NELLIE,
MAY YOU WATCH OVER THIS LABOR OF LOVE FROM ABOVE
CARL GARRISON, COMMUNITY OF HOPE MINISTER OF HOMELESS OUTREACH
@ THE MANHATTAN CHURCH OF CHRIST
Events for Catering for the Homeless, Inc.:
Note: Food pickups in 2017 consisted of smaller pickups of food excess from entertainment studios, providing about 3,000 meals for the homeless and poor throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
March-April 2017: Hosted a successful fundraiser which raised almost $5,000 dollars to contribute to getting a homeless person housed. (Note: None of the money raised went to Catering for the Homeless—the money went entirely to the getting the homeless woman housed).
2018
March 12th, 2018: Brown Bag Subway Ministry on the 7 Train. 30 meals were given out to the homeless on the 7 Train and around the parks and streets of Sunnyside and Woodside.
March 20th, 2018: I coordinated a pickup between the Jacob Javits Center and the Metro Baptist Church. Approximately 400 meals of soups and salads were given out to the homeless in Manhattan.
March 26th, 2018: Brown Bag Subway Ministry on the 7 Train fed about 30 homeless and socks and scarves were also distributed this time.
April 4th, 2018: Author Book Signing at the Project for Living Artists hosted by the Project Life Center located at 38-02 61st Street, Woodside, NY 11377 at 7 pm.
April 7th, 2018: Author Book Signing at the Sunnyside Public Library at 3 pm - 4:30 pm.
April 9th, 2018: Food distribution for the poor from donated food by Yummy's Catering. Approximately 100 meals to the less fortunate were provided with 15 trays of food.
April 10th, 2018: I coordinated a food pickup between the Javits Center and the Coalition of the Homeless in Manhattan. Approximately 300 meals of salads and sandwiches were given out to the homeless in Manhattan. Parking was $30, plus gas and tolls was another $30.
April 12th, 2018: I made the food pickup for Fordham University at an event hosted at the Lincoln Center and brought the food to the Metro Baptist Church. Each of these events will be about 100 meals for the homeless and poor.
April 21st, 2018: Author Book Signing at the Middle Village Public Library at 2:30 pm - 4 pm.
April 23rd, 2018: Brown Bag Subway Ministry on the 7-Train, about 30 brown bags and socks were given out.
April 24th (Holocaust Remembrance Day), 2018: I coordinated a pickup between Fordham University/the Lincoln Center and the Metro Baptist Church in Manhattan where a approximately one hundred meals were given to the homeless and poor.
May 2nd, 2018: Approximately 600 meals were given to the homeless and poor from a food pickup at the Javits Center and the Metro Baptist Church.
May 11th, 2018: Approximately 600 meals were given to the homeless and poor through a food pickup from the Javits Center and the Manhattan Church of Christ.
May 26th, 2018: I will have a booth to sell my books at the First Annual Ridgewood Arts & Crafts Fair from 10 to 4 pm.
-JUNE 2018-
Catering for the Homeless receives its 501c3 Status
Paid for by Founder Crystal Wolfe
June 4th, 2018: I coordinated a food pickup between the Javits Center and the Coalition of the Homeless that provided about 1,200 meals for the homeless in Manhattan.
June 7th, 2018: A food pick for Fordham University and the Lincoln Center for about 100 meals for the homeless and poor.
June 25th, 2018: A tentative food pickup is planned for the Javits Center if there is food left over from their event.
June 27th, 2018: Food pickup for the Lincoln Center/Fordham University with about a 100 meals for the homeless and poor.
June 27th, 2018: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Astoria Bookshop for Our Invisible Neighbors and The Resurrected Dream. Address is 31-29 31st St, Astoria, NY 11106.
July 19th, 2018: A food pickup was made from the Jacob C. Javits Center from the Metro Baptist Church which provided 850 meals of wraps and burritos for the homeless and poor in Manhattan.
July 23rd, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center with the Coalition of the Homeless provided about 400 meals for the homeless.
July 24th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center with the Coalition of the Homeless provided at least 850 meals for the homeless.
July 25th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center with the Coalition of the Homeless provided 250 meals for the homeless and poor in Manhattan.
August 2nd, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center with the Metro Baptist Church and the Metropolitan Community Church provided 650 meals for the homeless and poor in Manhattan.
August 10th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center with the Manhattan Church of Christ provided about 300 meals of salads and sandwiches, as wells 50 bags of chips and 12 liter sodas for the homeless and food insecure.
August 13th, 2018: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Maspeth Library Branch at 6 pm - 8 pm located at 69-70 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.
August 15th, 2018: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Metro Baptist Church in Manhattan 7 pm - 8:30 pm located at 410 West 40th St, NY.
August 18th, 2018: A Better World Festival, from noon to 5 pm in the Bliss Plaza on 46th St and Queens Blvd in Sunnyside. I will be speaking at this event to educate children on homelessness. I will also be collecting toiletry items for the homeless. People will be making blankets at the event which they will donate to the Catering for the Homeless' fall toiletry drive, and I will have a table where I will be selling my books.
September 15th-November 15th Toiletry Drive, 2018: Catering for the Homeless is hosting a toiletry drive for the homeless with the Offices of Senator Joseph Addabbo, Senator Mike Gianaris, Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, Councilmember Anthony Reynoso, Councilmember Bob Holden, the Community Board 5 Office, the Queen of Angels, and St Sebastian's. We raised over 3,500 toiletry items on this drive.
September 11th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center.
September 12th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center.
September 13th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center.
September 17th, 2018: Food pickup for the Lincoln Center/Fordham University with about a 100 meals given from each event for the homeless and poor on each pickup. Unfortunately, after days of work on this, I was not able to get anyone to make this pickup.
September 18th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jacob C. Javits Center with the Coalition of the Homeless provided about 600 meals to the homeless.
September 19th, 2018: Food pickup for the Jaocb C. Javits Center with the Coalition of the Homeless provided about 600 meals to the homeless.
October 3rd, 2018: Food pickup for the Lincoln Center/Fordham University with about a 100 meals given from each event for the homeless and poor per pickup.
October 12th, 2018: Food pickup for the Lincoln Center/Fordham University with about a 100 meals given from each event for the homeless and poor per pickup.
November 8th, 2018: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Central Library for Our Invisible Neighbors from 6 pm - 7:30 pm.
November 10th, 2018: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Rosedale Library for Our Invisible Neighbors from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
November 12th, 2018: TV Segment on The Steve Ames Show in NJ, to be aired in December.
November 13th, 2018: TV Interview on Channel 34 LIVE at 8 pm EST on Talents Unlimited hosted by Gary Scudero.
November 19th, 2018: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Forest Hills Library for Our Invisible Neighbors from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.
November 30th, 2018: Food pickup between the Jacob C. Javits Center and the Coalition for the Homeless provided approximately 500 meals of salads and sandwiches for the homeless in Manhattan.
December 10th, 2018: 33 boxes of food will be provided for the homeless from the Jacob C. Javits Center.
December 13th, 2018: Approximately 750 meals were donated to the homeless and poor through a pick up with City Harvest and the Jacob C. Javits Center.
December 14th, 2018: We coordinated a food pickup between the Javits Center and City Harvest which provided approximately 500 meals to the homeless in food pantries and soup kitchens in NYC.
December 17th, 2018: The Sunnyside Shines is hosting a Fundraiser for the Fire Relief Fund at Sunnyside Community Services. Restaurants in Sunnyside will be donating food. Leftover food will be donated.
2019
January 17th, 2019: We coordinated a food pickup between the Javits Center and City Harvest which provided approximately 300 pounds of food, or 900 meals to the homeless in food pantries and soup kitchens in NYC. City Harvest measures their pickups by pounds, but I like to meals to by measure. So I'm making 1 pound of food equivalent to 3 meals, but in actuality it is probably providing a lot more.
January 18th, 2019: We coordinated a food pickup between the Javits Center and City Harvest which provided approximately 400 pounds of food, or 1,200 meals of soups and salads to the homeless in food pantries and soup kitchens in NYC.
Sock & Glove Drive for the Homeless from January 21st-February 28th, 2019: Sponsored by the United Forties Civic Association. List of participants: the Community Board 2, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Council Member Bob Holden, Senator Mike Gianaris, Senator Joseph Addabbo, Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, Catholic Migration Services, Queen of Angels, St Sebastian's Academy, St Sebastian's Parish Center, and Catering for the Homeless, Inc. Thousands of socks and gloves were raised for the homeless.
January 29th, 2019: Food pickup between the Coalition for the Homeless and the Metro Baptist Church providing about 200-300 meals of sandwiches, salads, and sides of chips, yogurts, and parfaits for the homeless.
February 7th, 2019: The food pickup from the Jacob C. Javits Center by the Metro Baptist Church provided almost 1,000 meals to the homeless and poor in Manhattan.
February 11th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe will be interviewed LIVE by Vijay Nathan (www.vjaynathan.com) on the Internet Radio Show, "The Truth to Power Show" in Brooklyn. Link to Listen to the "Invisible Truth:" https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/truthtopowershow/episodes/2019-02-23T12_35_01-08_00.
Toiletry Drive for the Homeless from March 6th-April 20th, 2019: Hosted by Catering for the Homeless, Inc. and the Queens of Angels in Sunnyside. Donation drop-offs will be at the Offices of: Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, Senator Joseph Addabbo, and Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.
March 14th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe will be speaking at the Advocacy in Action Conference at the Metro Baptist Church located at 410 W. 40th Street, New York, NY 10018 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. There will be 65 advocates from across the nation in attendance. The panel will led by Crystal Wolfe, Catering for the Homeless, Inc. The Panel will include: the Coalition for the Homeless, the Office of Andrew Hevesi, the Office of Mayor Bill de Blasio, ThriveNYC, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), City Harvest, and the Food Justice Coordinator from the Metro Baptist Church, Mark Prehn.
March 18th, 2019: Food pickup of about 100 pounds of frozen meats will be picked up by the Manhattan Church of God. Approximately 300 meals were served from the food collected.
April 5th, 2019: Nonprofit Conference from Together We Can Community Center, Inc. is hosting a conference for nonprofits to come together, speak about, and network for their various work serving the community. It will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Wellcare Center located at 91-08 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. The founders have kindly invited my attendance, and sent out an email asking attendees to bring toiletry items for the homeless for my latest toiletry drive going on until April 20th. I will get to speak, hand out information and business cards for Catering for the Homeless, Inc. and sell books to anyone who is interested in the solutions to homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence; understanding the truth about homelessness--how it could so easily happen to most of us, and the personal stories of homelessness that get to the heart of this cause. I am also very honored to hear and meet the other nonprofits who will be in attendance, in hopes to promote their good work and facilitate future partnerships.
April 8th, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Kew Garden Hill Library for the Second Edition of Our Invisible Neighbors from 6 pm to 8 pm located at 73-33 Vleigh Place, Flushing, NY 11367.
April 23rd, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Maspeth Senior Center located at 69-61 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. Crystal Wolfe will be speaking at the Maspeth Senior Center in regards to local homelessness, sharing stories of elderly homelessness I've worked with, offering resources to help the homeless in our area, discussing my work with the homeless and the mission of my nonprofit, as well leaders in the area who are working to alleviate homelessness, providing the truth about homelessness its complexity, talking about the many solutions to homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence I have come up with, answering questions, and bringing books to purchase for whomever is interested in supporting this work to help our neighbors.
April 29th-May 9th, 2019: Mother's Day Drive for Women and Children with the Offices of Congresswoman Grace Meng and Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz.
May 4th, 2019: Author Talk at the Whitestone Library located at 151-10 14th Rd, Whitestone, NY 11357 for the Second Edition of Our Invisible Neighbors from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
May 18th, 2019: First Annual Maspeth Book Festival Sponsored by the Queens Ledger Newspaper, the event will have 25 authors--from comic book authors, to fantasy book writers, to sports book authors, and more. The event includes 8 seminars/workshops, an expo where authors will exhibit their books and speak to participants, with opportunities for participants to submit writing entries to editors and get immediate feedback. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of this exciting new event, and to be leading of the 8 panels. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Admission is $5 per person, children under 12-years-old are welcomed to Free admission.
May 29th, 2019: Guest Speaker at the CB4 Health & Human Services Committee.
May 30th, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Maspeth Library located at 69-60 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for Volume One of the Creation Series, Where the Shadows Meet the Light.
June 1st, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Bayside Library located at 214-20 Northern Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm for the Second Edition of Our Invisible Neighbors.
June 6th, 2019: Goodwill is donating 42 (15 gallon size) bags to Catering for the Homeless, Inc. to distribute to homeless shelters around Queens.
June 7th, 2019: Nonprofit Conference from Together We Can Community Center, Inc. is hosting a conference for nonprofits to come together, speak about, and network for their various work serving the community. It will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Wellcare Center located at 91-08 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372.
June 15th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe will have a booth at the Ridgewood Fun Day/Craft Fair hosted by the Friends of the Ridgewood Library located at 20-12 Madison St, Ridgewood, NY 11385 from 10 am to 4 pm.
June 20th, 2019: JFK Regular Democratic Club Meeting located at the Jewish Center 71-25 Main Street, Flushing, NY 11367 from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm for the Second Edition of Our Invisible Neighbors.
July 11th, 2019: Pickup of men, women, and children's clothes from Goodwill to the homeless in shelters around Queens.
July 14th, 2019: A Better World Festival From noon to 5:00 pm under the Sunnyside Arch. Sunnyside residents, merchants, nonprofits, including Catering for the Homeless, Inc., speakers, and performers, will be coming together for a day of activism and community. The Sunnyside Shines, the Love, Hallie Foundation, and Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer's office will be hosting the event, which will include performances and family-friendly activities that highlight the fun in making a difference, with the vision from a little girl named Hallie, who died before her time, but lives on in her writings about creating a better world. More information for this event can be found on www.lovehallie.org.
July 18th, 2019: Guest Speaker at the Glendale Kiwanis Club meeting at 1:00 pm at the Zum Stammtisch Restaurant located at 69-46 Myrtle Ave, Glendale, NY.
August 2nd, 2019: Together We Can Community Center Inc. Conference of Nonprofits from 10 am to noon in Jackson Heights.
August 2nd, 2019: Food pickup at the Javits Center in Midtown, Manhattan provided about 1,000 meals for the homeless and poor.
August 4th, 2019: Author Talk at the Evangel Fellowship Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania from 10:30 am to noon.
August 19th, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing for the Second Edition of Our Invisible Neighbors at the Poppenhusen/College Point Library located at 115-23 14th Ave, College Point, NY 11356 at 6:00 pm. Someone from the community who came to my Author Talk at Whitestone Library in May requested that I come to the College Point Library to speak, as the community has recently held protests against the homeless shelter being brought into their community. She asked me to speak and educate the community about the misconception of homelessness, the causes, and the solutions. All three books will be available for purchase at the Author Talk.
August 28th, 2019: Speaking at my first CEC Meeting from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Manhattan, to testify about my petition to the DOE to allow schools to donate their food excess to the homeless and poor.
September 5th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe will be a guest speaker at the CB4 Public Meeting in Corona about Catering for the Homeless, Inc.'s efforts to help the homeless, and invite their participation in the Fall Toiletry Drive for the Homeless.
September 14th, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Broadway Library located at 40-20 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11103 from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm for Our Invisible Neighbors.
September 19th, 2019: Speaker at the Our Lady of Miracles Bible Study located at 757 E 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11236 from 7:30 pm for Our Invisible Neighbors, and to discuss a partnership with their group fro the upcoming toiletry drive.
September 20th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe will be a guest speaker at the CWA Local 1180 Union Meeting at 6:00 pm in Queensborough Hall, located at 120-55 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, 11424, discussing her work with the homeless and solutions for homelessness, hunger, poverty, and domestic violence.
September 26th, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing for Volume One of The Creation Series, Where the Shadows Meet the Light at Central Library located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica, Queens from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. All three books will be available for purchase.
October 4th, 2019: Together We Can Conference from 10 am to noon in Corona.
October 5th, 2019: Author Talk/Book Signing at the Fresh Meadows Library located at 193-20 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm for Our Invisible Neighbors.
October 7th-Friday, November 8th, 2019: Fall Toiletry Drive for the Homeless hosted by Catering for the Homeless, Inc. with drop offs at the Offices of: Council Member Bob Holden, Council Member Paul A. Vallone, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, Assemblyman Aravella Simotas, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal, Senator Joseph Addabbo, Senator Mike Gianaris, Senator John Liu, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Together We Can Community Center, Inc., Community Board 4, Community Board 5, St Sebastian's Choir, St Sebastian's RCIA, Catholic Migration Services, Hollis Library, and the Pro Sanctity Movement in Brooklyn.
October 7th, 2019: Spoke at Christ the King High School in Middle Village at the DHS and Westhab Hearing for the Glendale Men's Shelter from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
October 10th, 2019: Attended Community Board 5 of Queens Special Committee on Homelessness from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
October 16th, 2019: Attended the Public Meeting for Community Board 5 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
October 17th, 2019: Spoke at the United Forties Civic Association in Woodside to invite the members participation in the toiletry drive.
October 26th, 2019: Author Talk for Our Invisible Neighbors at the Hollis Library located 202-5 Hillside Ave, Hollis, NY 11423 at 2:00 pm.
November 7th, 2019: Speaking at the CB2 to invite participation in the toiletry and food drive, and to give an update.
November 8th, 2019: Finally starting to work with the new catering company at the Jacob C. Javits Center to get their food excess to the less fortunate in Midtown, Manhattan. This food pick up will provide about 100 meals of wraps, salads and fruit.
November 8th, 2019: Meeting with the Salvation Army in Ridgewood at 2:30 pm.
November 11th, 2019: Approximately 24 boxes (50 meals per box) will be picked up today by the Coalition for the Homeless translating to about 1,200 meals for the homeless and poor. Happy Veterans Day!
November 12th, 2019: Presenting at the Community Board 4 Public Meeting in Corona as a Guest Speaker.
November 14th, 2019: Pickup of Toiletry Items from the Pro Sanctity Movement at Our Lady of Miracles in Canarsie, Brooklyn at 7:00 pm.
November 16th, 2019: Author Crystal Wolfe will be selling her three books at the Central Library located at 89-11 Merrick Blvd, Jamaica, NY for Book Festival from noon to 4:30 pm.
November 19th, 2019: Catering for the Homeless, Inc. made an additional pickup of items from Community Board 4 of Queens.
November 21st, 2019: Crystal Wolfe was the Guest Speaker at the Taminent Democratic Club at 32-33 31st Street in Astoria at 7:30 pm. The Democratic Club collected about 50 canned goods they donated to Catering for the Homeless, Inc. Crystal discussed her work with homeless, presenting her comprehensive book on homeless, and solutions for homelessness.
November 22nd, 2019: A food pickup by the Manhattan Church of Christ from the Jacob C. Javits Center provided approximately 500 meals of sandwiches, wraps, and desserts to the homeless in Midtown, Manhattan. In addition, thousands of toiletries and food items were donated to the Methodist Church in Jackson Heights, and several Westhab homeless shelters throughout Queens, including a Women's Shelter in College Point.
November 24th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe will be the Guest Speaker at the Thanksgiving Event for the Salvation Army in Ridgewood, feeding community members. She will be speaking about her work to end hunger at 2:00 pm.
November 25th, 2019: A food pickup by the Coalition for the Homeless from the Jacob C. Javits Center provided approximately 1,000 meals of sandwiches, wraps, and desserts to the homeless in Midtown, Manhattan.
November 30th, 2019: Catering for the Homeless, Inc. is the main sponsor for the Methodist Church in Jackson Heights. CFTH provided thousands of toiletries, canned goods, clothes, and dozens of turkeys to feed hundreds of families in need.
December 3rd, 2019: I have coordinated a food pickup in Manhattan between the Jacob C. Javits Center and the Coalition for the Homeless, which will feed the homeless with quality, untouched food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
December 4th, 2019: Women's Health Equity through St John's University and the Office of Assemblyman Brian Barnwell are generously donating their Winter Health Packages for the homeless to St Sebastian's, and Catering for the Homeless, Inc. About 100 kits were donated to Catering for the Homeless, Inc. and St Sebastian's for homeless men and women, which had 13 items in each bag.
December 6th, 2019: Together We Can Community Center, Inc. is hosting a conference for nonprofits to come together, speak about, and network for their various work serving the community. It will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Wellcare Center located at 91-08 Roosevelt Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. This conference will invite participants to bring food from all cultures, and have a Holiday Feast!
December 11th, 2019: A pickup of the excess food from the Holiday Party at Community Board 5, will provide approximately 50 meals and desserts for poor families in Queens, as well as hundreds of presents for homeless children.
December 13th, 2019: Food pickup at the Javits Center will provide at least 1,200 meals for the homeless.
December 15th, 2019: Drop off of items collected from the Hollis Public Library.
December 19th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe was the Guest Speaker at the Community Board 3 of Queens in Corona at 7:00 pm.
December 19th, 2019: Crystal Wolfe spoke at the Immaculate Church Prayer Group at 8:00 pm and they did a fundraiser for CFTH which raised a little over $1,000.
December 20th, 2019: Dropping off thousands of toiletries, including hundreds of toys for the kids at the Pan Am Shelter.
2020
January 7th, 2020: I am picking up an excess of women's clothes from the Goodwill in Brooklyn, to be donated to the College Point Women's Shelter in Queens. They specifically asked me for women's clothes to help the ladies being sheltered there get job interviews to get jobs which will help them to get back on their feet. I will also be making a pickup of women's clothes from a lady friend I have in the community, who is generously donating some beautiful clothes to the homeless ladies. On the same day, the House of Good Deeds donated clothes for the homeless. The total amount of clothes donated from these pickups were approximately 40 bags of clothes for the homeless.
January 10th, 2020: Assemblyman Brian Barnwell donated non-perishable food items.
January 13th, 2020: A food pickup between the Javits Center and the House of Good Deeds will feed about 100 homeless people in Manhattan.
January 15th, 2020: A food pickup between the Javits Center and the Coalition for the Homeless will provide approximately 800 meals to the homeless in Manhattan.
January 19th, 2020: More items of clothes and toiletries were donated for the homeless from the House of Good Deeds.
January 21st, 2020: A food pickup between the Javits Center and the Coalition for the Homeless will provide ovver 600 meals to the homeless in Manhattan.
January 22nd, 2020: A food pickup between the Javits Center and the Coalition for the Homeless will provide approximately 750 meals to the homeless in Manhattan.
January 24th, 2020: A food pickup between the Javits Center and the House of Good Deeds will provide about 125 bags of cookies for the homeless people in Manhattan.
January 28th, 2020: A food pickup from the Steiner Studios will provide about 50 meals for the homeless in Brooklyn.
February 11th, 2020: Speaking at a CB9 Meeting.
February 12th, 2020: Food pickup at the Javots Center.
February 13th, 2020: Two food pickups at the Javits Center with the Metro Baptist Church and the House of Good Deeds.
February 16th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe, the Founder and President of Catering for the Homeless, Inc., is pleased and honored to be permitted to speak at one of the churches she's been working with to serve the homeless and poor at a Methodist Church located at 81-10 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. She will speaking in the service from noon to 1:30 pm, and then at the reception afterwards.
February 23rd, 2020: Fair for nonprofits to connect with volunteers hosted by the Church in the Garden at Forest Hills from noon to 3 pm.
Winner of 2020 Hanes Sock Drive! Recipient of 3,000 socks for the homeless in February 2020 distributed to the homeless in shelters, subways, the parks and streets.
February 26th - April 9th, 2020: Lent/Spring Toiletry Drive with the Queens of Angels.
March 13th, 2020: The Jacob C. Javits Center is closing down and canceling their events for the next few weeks due to the Coronavirus. As such, they have well over a thousand pounds of produce and specialty drinks to donate before they close down shop and work from home during this pandemic.
March 16th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe is honored to speak at the Queens West Division Kiwanis Club Meeting at 7:00 pm at the Prima Pasta Restaurant located at 161-50 Crossbay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY. Note: This meeting has been POSTPONED due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
March 17th, 2020: Made deliveries of ready-made meals to the home-bound in Woodside.
March 18th, 2020: CFTH is hosting a COVID-19 Crisis Relief Food and Toiletry Drive for the duration of the Crisis.
March 18th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe was be one of the Guest Speakers on the "Voices of Worship Show" on 93.5 from 10 pm to midnight in honor of Women's Empowerment Month.
March 19th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe, Founder and President of CFTH, is honored to be the Guest Speaker at the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club in Chelsea. This event has been POSTPONED due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
March 21st, 2020: Made deliveries of ready-made meals to the home-bound in Woodside.
March 24th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe is honored to be the Guest Speaker for a women's empowerment session hosted by Goodwill for Women's Empowerment Month from 10 am to noon at their location in Jamaica, Queens. This event has been CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
March 24th, 2020: The organization Healthcorps is donating $200 worth of food to the Catering for the Homeless' food and toiletry crisis relief drive for those in need in the Ridgewood area on March 24th from 2 pm to 3 pm. These items will be counted and then brought to a food pantry in Ridgewood on Thursday, March 26th.
March 26th, 2020: Delivery of times to All Saint's Food Pantry in Ridgewood, which served hundreds of families. Crystal also made a pickup of 300 food donations which was delivered to the St Teresa's Food Pantry in Sunnyside/Woodside.
March 31st, 2020: Crystal served at the All Saint's Food Pantry in Ridgewood and collected and delivered food donation to St Teresa's Food Pantry in Sunnyside/Woodside and helped serve approximately 300 bags to 75 families.
April 3rd, 2020: A generous donation of 3,000 socks from the Hanes 2020 Sock Drive was received for the Catering for the Homeless Crisis Relief Drive for the homeless and those in need.
April 7th, 2020: Crystal served at the All Saint's Food Pantry in Ridgewood and collected and delivered food donation to St Teresa's Food Pantry in Sunnyside/Woodside serving approximately 600 families in need, 1,700 bags of food 10th 10-20 items per bag.
April 9th, 2020: Crystal served at the All Saint's Food Pantry in Ridgewood serving about 500 families and making up 1,000 bags of food. Crystal also made a pickup of about 1,000 food items for donations to the Crisis Relief Drive.
First Week of April: Last food rescue with the Javits Center and the Coalition for the Homeless served 400 meals.
April 10th, 2020: Crystal made deliveries of groceries to 5 home-bound families in need in Corona and Woodside.
April 11th, 2020: Crystal donated about 500 items of food to the St Raphael's Food Pantry in Long Island City, and served from 1 pm to 4 pm, serving about 150 families.
April 14th, 2020: Crystal served at the All Saint's Food Pantry in Ridgewood and collected and delivered food donation to St Teresa's Food Pantry in Sunnyside/Woodside serving approximately 500 families in need (a week's worth of meals), 2,000 bags compiled with: cans of beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, pasta, apples, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, nuts, bread, prunes, Ramon noodles, tomato sauce, macaroni and cheese, milk, juices, canned fruits, canned vegetables, frozen chicken, frozen fish, oysters, canned tuna, salmon, peanut butter, jam, lentils, snack bars, candy, boxed grits, cookies, lettuce, soups, fruit cups, sandwiches, and cereal.
April 16th, 2020: Crystal will make home deliveries of groceries to 5 families in need in Corona, Woodside, and Jackson Heights.
April 21st, 2020: CFTH will serve and bring donations to the All Saint's Parish and St Teresa's Food Pantry, and bring groceries to home-bound families in Woodside, serving approximately 500 families thousands of meals in Ridgewood and Woodside, 2,200 bags of food. We also served about 200 bowls of soup to 200 families in Woodside/Sunnyside.
April 22nd, 2020: CFTH made home deliveries of food and groceries to 6 families in Woodside, East Elmhurst, and Middle Village.
April 22nd, 2020: Crystal Wolfe will be the Guest Speaker at CB8. This event has been POSTPONED due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
April 28th, 2020: CFTH will serve and bring food donations to St Teresa's Food Pantry, and bring groceries to home-bound families in Woodside, serving approximately 250 families thousands of meals Woodside and Sunnyside, 2,200 bags of food. We will also served about 200 bowls of soup to families in Woodside.
April 29th, 2020: CFTH made home deliveries of food and groceries to 6 families in Woodside, Elmhurst, and Corona.
April 30th, 2020: CFTH made home deliveries of food and groceries to 3 families in Woodside and Corona.
May 5th, 2020: CFTH purchased over 1,000 food items for St Teresa's Food Pantry who made up about 1,500 bas of food to feed 300 families in Woodside.
May 6th, 2020: CFTH made home deliveries to families in Woodside and Corona.
May 8th, 2020: Grocery run to BJ's to purchase 750 food items and bring them to Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry to serve hundreds of families in need in Corona.
May 11th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe will be the Guest Speaker at CB9. This event has been POSTPONED due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
May 14th, 2020: CFTH made home deliveries of food and groceries to families in Woodside, Middle Village, Elmhurst, and Corona.
May 15th, 2020: CFTH made home deliveries of food and groceries to families in Woodside, Maspeth, and Corona.
May 18th, 2020: CFTH will make a BJ's run to purchase food for The Child Center of New York Latimar Garden Food Pantry in Flushing, Queens.
May 18th, 2020: CFTH is bringing food donations to the St Stan's/Transfiguration food deliveries to families in need in Maspeth, and is also bringing food and serving with the St Teresa Food Pantry in Maspeth.
May 20th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe be making deliveries of 100 bags donated for the street homeless comprised of food and toiletries (8 items per bag = a donation of 800 items) the to help the safety and well-being of the homeless, such as hand sanitizers.
May 25th, 2020: CFTH went to BJ's to purchase over 1,000 food items with monetary donation to food pantries for the week, and made home deliveries of food and groceries to families in Maspeth and Corona.
May 26th, 2020: CFTH will bring food donations to the The Child Center of New York Latimar Garden Food Pantry in Flushing serving 100-200 families, Queens and the St Teresa Food Pantry in Woodside/Sunnyside serving 300+ families in need.
May 27th, 28th, 29th, 2020: Crystal Wolfe will be an author at the International Book Expo at the Javits Center. This event has been CANCELLED due to the Coronavirus. The next Book Expo will be in the Spring of 2021.
May 27th, 2020: CFTH made home deliveries of food and groceries to families in Woodside, Middle Village, East Elmhurst, Astoria, and Corona.
May 28th, 2020: CFTH will be making more home deliveries to families in Woodside and Jackson Heights, CFTH is also picking up donations from Fed Ex in Maspeth approximately 2,000 canned goods.
May 29th, 2020: CFTH will be bringing food, clothes, and toiletry donations to the Elmcor Food Pantry in Corona, serving 1000 families a week.
May 26th, 2020: CFTH will bring food donations to the St Teresa Food Pantry in Woodside/Sunnyside serving 300+ families in need