The Hellenic Relief Foundation, in an effort reminiscent of the Diaspora pitching in to help Greece after World War II,has delivered food rations to families in Athens and Corfu who were going without enough because of the country’s crushing economic crisis and harsh austerity measures applied to workers, pensioners and the poor.
According to organization officials, a member of the group’s board, Prokopis Zervas, traveled from New York at his own expense to oversee the distribution. On Feb. 22, during a heavy rain, some 190 people came to Meropio Charitable Foundation to get a parcel of food.
“The turnout, under such severe weather is a sign of the enormous needs caused by the economic crisis in Greece,” HRF said. Zervas then went to the island of Corfu, accompanied by the head volunteer in Greece, Maria Siourdi to deliver goods contributed by Corfu migrants in New York. Some 170 people were helped.
“All this was done, because some Greek migrants cannot stay indifferent to the devastating consequences of the crisis in a large part of the Greek society,” HRF said. The government provides almost no help to suffering individuals and families, leaving it up to charitable groups, the Greek Orthodox Church and NGO’s.
Meanwhile, the Greek-American Foundation will organize a benefit concert with the great composer Yannis Spanos together with vocalist Hrysoula Stefanaki, on April 13th 2013 at 8 p.m. at Queensboro Community College, Bayside. All proceeds will benefit the needy in Greece.
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