Borough President James S. Oddo announced today that his office has launched the social media campaign #outSIdeEATS to support local eateries that have shifted to outdoor dining, as designated by Phase 2 of the State’s re-opening plan.
 
This social media campaign follows the successful #DeliverSI campaign, which supports eateries that shifted to delivery and takeout during COVID-19 PAUSE order.

The #outSIdeEATS campaign offers Staten Islanders the following comprehensive spreadsheet of local restaurants, bars and cafés with curb lane, sidewalk, backyard and/or patio seating. It can be found at: https://bit.ly/outSIdeEATS. This constantly updated list is designed for those who wish to partake in an outdoor dining experience.
 
“Our Borough Hall team is looking to replicate the success we had with our #DeliverSI initiative we started when restaurants were first forced to close. We unveiled #outSIdeEATS to tell you all the great Staten Island joints that are open and ready to serve with outdoor dining options. We continue to host the #DeliverSI list for takeout and delivery. But if you are among those who want to get to a restaurant now, we will have you covered,” said Staten Island Borough President Oddo.
 
Staten Islanders are encouraged to tag the Borough President’s Office @StatenIslUSA in the places they are dining and use the #outSIdeEATS hashtag to show support and raise awareness of those open for outside dining.
 
Any restaurant, bar or café that would like to be featured in the list are asked to contact Lauren Lefkowitz at llefkowitz@statenislandusa.com with the following information: zip code; restaurant name; address; phone number; type of dining (patio/sidewalk/street/parking lot); reservation requirements; takeout/delivery availability; days and hours; social media handles; website.

​Borough President Oddo is pleased to announce his office has partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to sponsor the first drive-in movie in a summer-long series to be held at William H Pouch Boy Scout Camp (1285 Manor Rd), adjacent to the entrance to the Staten Island JCC. The first drive-in movie will take place on June 27th, featuring Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
 
“I am happy to partner with the Boy Scouts to provide Staten Islanders of all ages this opportunity to get out for a night of fun and entertainment, but while remaining safe in your cars,” said Borough President Oddo.
 
The summer long series schedule is as follows:
June 27 – Star Wars IV: A New Hope
July 4 – Jaws
July 11 – Raiders of the Lost Arc
July 18 – The Fly
July 25 – Jurassic Park
August 1 – Young Frankenstein
August 8 – E.T.
August 15 – Coco
August 22 – The Princess Bride
August 29 – Up
 
"We’re excited to share our amazing facilities with our Staten Island community and provide a venue for families,” notes Matt Gaor, Pouch Scout Camp Chair.
 
The cost of admission is $40 per car, which includes a choice of four snack and four drinks. To purchase tickets, please visit www.camppouch.org/driveinmovie. Tickets are limited, and movie goers must prepay online for entry.
 
Movie goers will be instructed no smoking will be permitted at the site, including inside cars. Additionally, attendees will be instructed to stay within their own car, no idling of cars will be allowed, and to take all garbage with them when they leave. 

Last month, Borough President James Oddo partnered with FreshDirect to make an additional 400 meals available daily to Staten Islanders in need in light of the Coronavirus outbreak.  After the program, which was rolled out in all five boroughs, ended, the need for the additional meals was evident and FreshDirect has responded by extending their commitment.
Beginning today, 500 grocery boxes per day prepared by FreshDirect, will be delivered to community food pantries and disseminated by partner organizations, including Catholic Charities and Community Health Action of Staten Island. This number is up from 400 boxes daily from the initial launch of the program.
“FreshDirect is extremely thankful to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City Sanitation Commissioner and current Food Czar Kathryn Garcia, and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo for his support of Operation 5-Borough Food Drive,” said Larry Scott Blackmon, Vice President of Public Affairs at FreshDirect.   “We are very grateful to continue the distribution of food to communities in Staten Island with Borough President Oddo, who has been partnership has proven invaluable.”
 
"The first phase of the FreshDirect Food Drive was so well received and we are so grateful for phase two, which is providing even more food to Staten Island’s food insecure population,” said Borough President James Oddo.  “Special thanks to FreshDirect and to CEO David McInerney for providing 500 meals daily to our community and to our partners, Catholic Charities and Community Health Action, for making sure this food gets to those who need it most."
Each grocery box, provided free of charge by FreshDirect, will contain the following:

• Rice (2 bags, 16oz)
• Pasta (2 boxes, 16oz)
• Canned beans (2 cans, 10-16oz)
• Canned meat/fish (2 cans, 3-5oz)
• Canned vegetables (2 cans, 8-15oz)
• Raisins/dried fruit (4 boxes, 2oz per box)
• Cereal/oatmeal (1 box, 10-20oz)
• Milk/milk substitute (1 container, 32oz)
• Corn (2 ears)
• 2 potatoes (two)
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• Orange/apple (2 in total)

 
ABOUT FRESHDIRECT:
FreshDirect is the Northeast's leading online fresh food grocer, delivering next day, same day and on-demand directly to customers throughout seven states, including the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, and the District of Columbia. FreshDirect is committed to sourcing the freshest and best-tasting meat, fish, produce, and specialty items through direct relationships with suppliers, growers, and farmers. Launched in 2002, FreshDirect is a privately held company headquartered in Bronx, NY. For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com or www.foodkick.com.

​Borough President James S. Oddo announced today that his office has partnered with Richmond County Medical Society (RCMS), Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI) and New York Chapter of the American College of Physicians (NY ACP) to launch “10,000 Calls,” an initiative aimed at physician offices that encourages outreach to patients, and/or their caregivers, to provide quick “wellbeing/social check-in” call. Calls will be prioritized to those living alone and over 65 years of age first.
 
The 10,000 Calls Initiative is being led by Richmond County Medical Society, in partnership with Borough Hall and Community Health Action of Staten Island. Similar projects have been supported by the New York Chapter of the American College of Physicians on a statewide basis.
 
The 10,000 Calls Initiative arms physician offices and their staff members with questions to ask patients, and/or their caregivers, concerning relevant critical areas related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Physician staff will ask patients about:
-          Patient’s overall health, such as how a patient is feeling and if there are any pressing health concerns;
-          Need for medication assistance, such as refills, picking up meds, assisting with medication deliveries;
-          Concerns related to pandemic, such as when and where to get tested, who needs to be tested, when to go to emergency department;
-          And concrete help related to social support, such as those related to food (list of pantries, pick up, delivery of food and/or grocery stores) and mental health.
 
“We want to make sure that people have what they need during this trying time, which is why I am grateful for Richmond County Medical Society and Community Health Action of Staten Island for partnering with us to bring this 10,000 Calls Initiative to Staten Island. We will get through this crisis, but we have to continue to work together to do so,” noted Borough President James Oddo.
 
During initial rollout phase, multiple patients needed medication refills, few needed follow-up due to feeling overwhelmed and anxious, and most had a family member or friend checking up on them.
 
"Primary Care Physicians are part of the fabric of our patients’ lives.  We are privileged to be invited to share in patients' celebrations and sorrows, and to advise in times of challenge and fear. As such the office teams are frequent sources of information and comfort, especially in trying times as we are experiencing with COVID19. The 10,000 Calls Project seeks to access the bonds of kinship between patients and their Primary Care Physicians. We believe patients will be honest about their needs and that the physician's office recommendations will be perceived as secure and safe by patients. This is an easy social outreach that brings caring for the individual to a new and more meaningful level,” said Dr. John Maese, Richmond County Medical Society (RCMS).
 
“Community Health Action welcomes this innovative collaboration with Borough Hall, the Richmond County Medical Society and the Staten Island provider community. We stand ready to support their efforts to connect people to critical services,” said Diane Arneth, Executive Director, Community Health Action of Staten Island.
 
If a call results in a patient needing further assistance to additional resources, the physician’s office will ask for consent for a partner to reach out to CHASI who will offer additional support to the patient. CHASI will offer telephonic support on a variety of fronts, such as daily check-ins via a CHASI case manager/counselor if a patient assessment warrant, as well as non-medical needs such as care navigation, emergency food, assistance with benefits, housing, and/or domestic violence issues.
 
CHASI will also be connecting people to drug treatment, harm reduction programs and recovery services as needed. Issues surrounding mental health, such as anxiety, depression, suicide ideations etc., will be connected to 1-800-NYC-WELL, suicide hot line, or RUMC’s new crisis help line at 718-818-6300.
 
It is important to note that this is not a tele-health visit, nor is it aimed to duplicate social determinants of health templates already within the community. The 10,000 Calls Initiative is a program instituted to offer emotional and social support to a community in need during this time. 

​Borough President James S. Oddo announced today that his office has partnered with District Attorney Michael E. McMahon to launch a campaign called “Hiya Neighbor,” bringing the principles of New York State’s Strive for Five Challenge to our community.
 
The “Hiya Neighbor” campaign encourages Staten Islanders to check on the senior citizens in their neighborhoods, making sure they are doing OK, all the while practicing social distancing.
 
The Strive for Five Challenge was created as a way for New Yorkers to look out for their fellow New Yorkers, continuing social connections as we work our way through COVID-19. The challenge consists of the following: find five people who you will check-in with by phone, video, chat or social media each day for the next 30-days, with an emphasis on prioritizing people who may be isolated, live alone, are in recovery, or who are feeling anxious or fearful.
 
The Strive for Five Challenge reminds people to remember the key elements of empathy as they reach out to their friends and family: I am in this with you; I am not here to fix you; I am not here to feel it for you; But I AM here to feel it with you and let you know you are not alone.
 
“A population that really concerns us right now in the wake of this coronavirus outbreak is our elderly friends and family members, as we unfortunately know that this virus has the potential to be very dangerous to them,” noted Borough President Oddo. “We want to make sure that people have what they need right now, but can’t stress enough the importance of being as safe as possible. With that in mind, I am asking neighbors to check in with the older adults on your blocks. Give them a call, ring the bell and jump back 6 feet to say hello, do your part to make sure everything is OK. We will get through this, but we have to work together to do so.”
 
“COVID-19 has impacted every American in one way or another, however its effects are felt most acutely by elder Americans, particularly those who live alone. The Hiya Neighbor campaign encourages Staten Islanders to check in on those who may be struggling getting basic supplies, battling loneliness, or are just missing out on their daily activities." noted DA McMahon. "We are asking every Staten Islander to “Strive for Five,” and safely check in on five individuals who might be in need or at advanced risk from COVID-19. Thank you to Borough President Oddo for his outstanding leadership on behalf of our borough during these difficult times.”

​Borough President James Oddo has partnered with FreshDirect to make an additional 400 meals available daily to Staten Islanders in need in light of the Coronavirus outbreak.
 
FreshDirect, in partnership with all five of New York City’s Borough Presidents, Ruben Diaz Jr. from the Bronx, Gale Brewer from Manhattan, Eric Adams from Brooklyn, Sharon Lee from Queens, and Borough President Oddo announced yesterday the launch of  “Operation 5-Borough Food Drive,” a citywide food initiative to assist New York families in need. Beginning Tuesday, the program consists of weekly (Monday through Friday) deliveries of 10,000 grocery boxes across the city.
 
“As a Bronx-based business, it is imperative that we do our part to provide support and assistance to our fellow New Yorkers in need,” said David McInerney, CEO, FreshDirect. “At FreshDirect, our mission is to deliver fresh, quality food and now more than ever, through these trying times of uncertainty, our neighbors are concerned about where their next meal will come from. We must band together with our local leaders and leverage our resources to take away that concern.”
 
The packages will arrive by FreshDirect vehicles to Community Health Action of Staten Island and Catholic Charities, who will facilitate getting the food to needy families.
 
"We have seen so many community members and organizations step up during this difficult time. We are grateful to FreshDirect and to CEO David McInerney for providing 400 meals daily to our community while many of the food pantries struggle to meet the need. This influx of food will surely help so many on Staten Island. Thank you to Fresh Direct and to our partners, Catholic Charities and Community Health Action, for making sure this food gets to those who need it most," said Borough President James Oddo.
 
“We at Catholic Charities of Staten Island are so grateful to FreshDirect for helping us stem the tide of hunger in our needy population - especially at this difficult time on Staten Island,” said Vincent M. Ignizio, CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island.  “We will continue to work with any and all Staten Island’s  non-profit organizations to ensure it gets directly in the hands of those in need.”
 
“Community Health Action of Staten Island welcomes this amazing partnership with FreshDirect to bring additional food to those in need. Last week, visits to our Community Food Pantry more than doubled. These added resources will help us meet the challenge as those most vulnerable to economic and food insecurity struggle with the effects of this crisis,” said Diane Arneth, Executive Director of Community Health Action of Staten Island.
 
Each box, which is being provided free of charge by FreshDirect will contain the following:
•         Rice, 2 bags, 16oz
•         Pasta, 2 boxes, 16oz
•         Canned beans, 2 cans, 10-16oz
•         Canned Meat/Fish, 2 cans, 3 to 5 oz
•         Canned Vegetable, 2 cans, 8 to 15 oz
•         Raisins / Dry Fruit, 4 boxes, 2 oz per box
•         Cereal/Oatmeal, 1 Box, 10 to 20 oz
•         Milk / Milk Substitute, 1 container, 32 oz
•         Corn, 2 ears
•         2 Potatoes
•         1 Onion
•         1 Carrot
•         Orange / Apple, 2 in total
 
ABOUT FRESHDIRECT:
 
FreshDirect is the Northeast's leading online fresh food grocer, delivering next day, same day and on-demand directly to customers throughout seven states, including the New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, and the District of Columbia. FreshDirect is committed to sourcing the freshest and best-tasting meat, fish, produce, and specialty items through direct relationships with suppliers, growers, and farmers. Launched in 2002, FreshDirect is a privately held company headquartered in Bronx, NY. For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com or www.foodkick.com. 

Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
 
“We are joining together to thank the Global Hero Foundation for coming forward at this time of need. Founders Gary Kong and Staten Island native Billie Mitchell remind us that as New Yorkers and Americans, we come together in times of need. This donation of 40,000 surgical masks and 600 N95 masks will immediately help safeguard those on the front lines of this imminent crisis. We are working closely with medical personnel in our hospitals and nursing homes to meet their needs. Additionally, we want to be sure that bus drivers who are transporting essential personnel to and from their jobs have the much needed protection, as they drive their routes.”
 
Deliveries of these masks will be made to support the needs of both of our hospitals, Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center. The supplies will also be distributed to members of 1199SEIU and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). The following nursing homes and community-based organizations (CBOs) specializing in helping our special needs population will be receiving the personal protective equipment (PPE): Silver Lake Specialized Care Center, Staten Island Care Center, Richmond Care Center, Stella Orton Home Care, Richmond Home Needs Services, A Very Special Place, Person Centered Care Services (PCCS), Heartshare, Community Resources, Catholic Charities of SI, On Your Mark, Crossroads Unlimited Inc., Eden II, AHRC, Meals on Wheels, SIDDSO, Eger Nursing Home and Harbor House, and Detectives Endowment.
 
Additionally, Staten Island’s elected official delegation will continue to work in close coordination to continue directing PPE to the places they are most needed. On March 21, 2020, the Staten Island Delegation put out a call to any dentists or physicians who may be closing their offices during this time to donate their PPE so that healthcare professionals on the front lines of this crisis can continue to safely care for ill patients. The delegation has now extended this to all small businesses that are closed or seeing fewer patients during this time. Any offices interested in donating should visit www.statenislandusa.com/PPE and fill out the intake form. A staff member from Borough Hall will be in touch shortly to arrange pick up of your donations.
 
ABOUT THE GLOBAL HERO FOUNDATION www.globalherofoundation.org:

Founder Sir Gary Kong, also the owner of Classic New York beer and the 1 wine www.the1wine.com, sits as co-chair for the Sino Chamber of Commerce.  Staten Island native, Billie Mitchell who is the CEO of the 1 Wine & Classic New York Beer is also the co-founder of the Global Hero Foundation along with Co- Founder Ying Zhu. It is a self-funded organization with a goal of saving lives, creating a better world and honoring those people who dedicated their lives to helping others. 
 
The mission of the Global Hero Foundation is to help ordinary people do extraordinary things. The Foundation achieves that goal by providing financial support, medical supplies, payment of medical bills, and travel expenses for those tasked with assisting others whenever and wherever disaster or crisis occurs. The Global Hero Foundation defines Global Heroes as: Doctors, Nurses, Medical Professionals, First Responders and members of point of contact organizations.
 
With the goal of helping to eradicate the spread of COVID-19 in China, the Global Hero Foundation recently sent more than 26,808 pounds (40 pallets) of medical supplies to the Red Cross Society of China, Fujian Branch to be distributed throughout nine provinces across the country to help protect the people and contain the virus, and to help eliminate the spread to other countries. 
 
Recognizing that New York City is experiencing a shortage of the N95 masks, the Global Hero Foundation has acquired 600 N95 Masks, and 40,000 cloth masks which will be distributed to local health care providers who are risking their lives to save and help individuals who may be afflicted with the coronavirus.

The Staten Island Borough President’s Office is sponsoring a volunteer program to welcome tourists at the St. George Ferry Terminal for another year. The Ferry Terminal Kiosk volunteer program will provide exposure to hundreds of tourists each day from May through October.
 
The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, a willingness to learn, and enthusiasm about marketing Staten Island and New York City as a destination. Volunteers will be responsible for fostering interest in Staten Island by providing information regarding local attractions, bus routes, nearby eateries, and thoughtfully answering other tourist inquiries. Training will be provided that covers the aforementioned topics. 
 
The booth will be open from Wednesday through Sunday, 10 am to 6pm, with three 2-hour shifts daily and at least three volunteers for each shift. Scheduling is flexible. Volunteers will be responsible for addressing queries in a friendly manner and must have a presentable and professional appearance while operating the booth. Volunteers will also be responsible for opening and setting up the kiosk each morning and securely closing it in the evening, as well as keeping all the materials stocked.
 
Volunteers will be given the opportunity to expand interpersonal skills by interacting with a diverse and curious audience. and be awarded a Certificate of Completion—a great addition to a resume—for their work.
 
Tourism is a $66 billion industry in New York City. The Staten Island Ferry is one of the most visited attractions in New York City, with over 1.5 million tourists riding the Ferry each year.
 
“We at Borough Hall know tourism is an important economic driver, and we are excited to be able to assist in that effort by providing this tourism kiosk at the St. George Ferry Terminal,” said Borough President James Oddo. “Our goal is to connect tourists to the wonderful cultural attractions Staten Island has to offer, provide directions and information on where they can eat, shop, and stay, and to let people know Staten Island is open for business in every way possible.”
 
Applications for the volunteer positions are currently being accepted. All inquiries should be made by April 1. For more information, contact Colleen Siuzdak at the Staten Island Borough President’s Office of Tourism and Cultural Affairs at csiuzdak@statenislandusa.com or 718-816-2057.