STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As the holiday season arrives and many families feel the strain of rising food costs, Jacky and Doreen Yu of Dongan Hills are quietly making a difference for neighbors in need through their long-standing volunteer work with City Harvest.
The couple has volunteered with the organization for 16 years, serving twice a month at the Stapleton Mobile Market on Warren Street and Hill Street, where free fresh produce and pantry staples are distributed to local residents.
The Yus first became involved through a corporate volunteer program and soon returned on their own after seeing the impact of the work.
“We started as corporate volunteers, but came back independently because we knew what City Harvest does is a very worthwhile mission,” Doreen told SILive.com. “Originally, I only volunteered on Saturdays, and Jacky volunteered on both days since he worked in the afternoons.
“We continue because we have the time, the passion, and we love Staten Island. We wake up looking forward to seeing our community friends and knowing we have jobs to do.”
Their commitment comes at a critical time. In the wake of the pandemic, rising food prices and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have increased demand for free food across the borough.
City Harvest has expanded its operations in response, increasing distribution and strengthening support throughout the five boroughs, with Mobile Markets serving as a vital resource for many families.
“After the pandemic, the rising food prices forced people to scout for free food…they pull their carts everywhere they knew there was food distributed,” Doreen said. “Some recipients in Stapleton come from Brooklyn.
“We keep going because we see that the Mobile Market does really help people and we witness that most people appreciate what City Harvest does for them.”
Despite the growing need, the couple said the sense of connection keeps them returning month after month.
“We always look forward to seeing familiar faces and feeling that sense of community,” she said. “Those connections remind us why the work matters.”
Living on Staten Island has reinforced for them the importance of reliable volunteer support.
“Over the years, volunteers come and go as people focus on school, work, family, and other responsibilities,” she said. “Seeing that has shown us how important steady, reliable support is for our neighbors.”
After contributing more than 500 volunteer hours each, the Yus say the experience has shaped how they view generosity and resilience, especially during the holiday season.
“We have learned that showing up consistently makes a real difference and that our community is resilient even during challenging times,” she said.
They encourage other Staten Islanders looking for a meaningful way to give back to consider volunteering. “Rising food costs and SNAP cuts have brought bigger crowds to the Mobile Market,” they said.
“City Harvest is there to meet that need, but we always need more helping hands. We have encouraged patrons to volunteer, but we know many people are juggling work, school, and family.
“That is why support from corporate volunteers, retired neighbors, or anyone with a few hours to spare is so valuable. City Harvest makes it easy to step in and make a real difference for our community.”