APAG COVID-19 Community Outreach Efforts

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COVID-19 has caused debilitating damage to both medical and transportation infrastructure to low-income communities. As such, many families were left in need of essential supplies and groceries throughout the duration of the pandemic. Additionally, groups such as the elderly, a high risk demographic, were unable to leave their house due to risk factors. 

APAG and its members and volunteers could not sit idly knowing the financial and physical distress that rapidly plagued their community. Despite the hazardous conditions that plagued New York City, and these times of idleness and uncertainty, APAG decidedly took action. 

The American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) team has tremendously risen to the challenge of helping elderly, disable and those facing financial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, APAG engaged in, several relief efforts including programs such as: APAG’s “Essential Groceries Drive”, which provide free groceries to people in needs. 

The American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) started distributing food bags to those in need for all five boroughs, Long Island and upstate New York. 

We want to serve the underrepresented community and provide what is needed for a sustainable living. In 2020 APAG managed to deliver and distribute over 10,000+ grocery packages sufficient for 60,000 people throughout the five boroughs of NYC, Long Island and upstate New York while observing social distancing. Each bag contains at least 14 items and can last a family for a month. APAG hope to maintain their momentum and continue to distribute packages to help as many people as they can. 

The American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) recognized the issues impacting their local community and immediately organized and assembled a solution. They began distributing food packages containing 14 essential items such as flour, rice, bread, etc. to various groups such as the: elderly, disabled and those facing financial distress. The food package is made for a family of six and to last for at least one month. APAG was one of the first organization in New York City to take the initiative and start helping individuals and families in need. Also, for Ramadan APAG complied a special package for Muslim families going through hardship and delivered that packages at people’s doorsteps.

- APAG was the first to provide hot meals to first responders in Elmhurst, then expanded to all five boroughs 

- APAG was the first to have a live virtual webinar with state, city, and local elected officals to demand and  organize their resources for public assistance

- APAG provided essential groceries (1 bag lasting for a month) with their own funding. 

- APAG supplied essential bags for those observing Ramadan. 

- APAG had series of townhalls with city and state officials, including DAs office with updated public assistance. 

- APAG promises to continue assisting those in need and provide halal meals too. 

American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) continues to provide Grocery Packages to the people in need in this unprecedented times in Long Island, NYC and Upstate New York since the beginning of Coronavirus. APAG was the first South Asian / Pakistani organization to start delivering groceries in New York and it’s great to see we have motivated so many others. 

APAG along with 40 additional organizations proposed a legislation that would amend the City Charter to permit lawfully present residents (green card holders) and those with work authorizations to vote in municipal elections. This bill will give almost one million New Yorkers right to vote. They legally live here, work here, go to school here, and are raising families here; yet, despite paying billions of dollars in taxes, they have no say in the direction of our city. 

This is an inalienable right that must be granted to any constituent. We must remember that our country was founded in the principle, “No taxation without representation!” The “Our City, Our Vote” bill presents an opportunity to right that wrong to create a more inclusive 21st century democracy that works for every New Yorker. We would like to offer our sincerest gratitude to Councilmember Ydanis and The New York Immigration Coalition for leading the fight to expand Voting Rights. 

This initiative provided a free hot meal to all individuals on the frontlines of this pandemic . APAG salutes those who are working day and night to help flatten the curve,whether they be doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers, paramedics they will receive a free meal from one of the participating locations. Utilizing local restaurant partnerships, APAG has developed a network of restaurants in Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Nassau and Suffolk that aided in providing these hot meals..In 2020 alone, APAG has provided 5,000+ meals to first responders as a gesture of gratitude.  

The genesis of this endevour orginated from the notion that COVID-19 has been an unpredictable and unprecedented disease in our lifetime. As global citizens it is our duty to respect and honor the service of the individuals facing this disease on the frontlines. As such, the American Pakistani Advocacy Group provided free lunch to all First Responders EVERYDAY from 12:00-2:00pm in five different location in New York City and Long Island. It is our responsibility to look after the people helping keep us and our families safe.  

American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) members delivered fresh cooked meals to First Responders at FDNY EMS Station 27 and thanked the whole staff for everything they do to keep us safe. As global citizens, it is our duty to respect and honor the service of the individuals facing this disease on the frontlines. It is our responsibility to look after the people helping keep us and our families safe. APAG will stand with our heroes who are fighting for us. 

American Pakistani Advocacy Group’s Townhall Series to provide information about resources, assistance and services available to communities via NYC Mayor City Agencies. Agencies who participated included NYC Mayors Community Affairs Unit, NYC Human Right, NYC Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs and NYC Office of the Prevention of Hate Crimes.  

 The American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG) community face mask and hand sanitizers distribution effort continued. APAG team members distributed masks at the Islamic Center of Long Island (ICLI). Thank you to Senator Kevin Thomas for generously providing hand sanitizers for distribution. A very special thanks to ICLI board member Dr. Isma Habib Chaudhry and ICLI President Habeeb Ahmed for coordinating with us. These two remarkable community leaders are an absolute pleasure to work with. We look forward to continue serving the community with you.