'They Are Completely Selfless': Harlem Local Hero

HARLEM, NY — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Jasmine Simmons who nominated Harlem's own UPTOWN FREE STORE.

Local hero’s full name

UPTOWN FREE STORE

Local hero’s home state

New York!

Local hero’s Patch

Harlem

How do you know the local hero?

I have gotten help/SUPPORT from them MANY times!

What does the local hero do?

They are a Mutual Aid Collective providing much needed resources to our most vulnerable neighbors: a 24 hour food pantry, community pop-ups for cold weather gear/coats etc, prepared meals + free grocery delivery for our elders and neighbors with disabilities, eviction prevention, general Advocacy etc. SO many things they’ve provided over the past two years since covid.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

ALL of their funding comes from donations from
People like you and me. They don’t receive support from the city/state/government. When their funds are low, so is the impact they are able to bring to the community. These are DEDICATED, COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE serving our community. We need to SUPPORT them, they are the ones doing the work the politicians simply AREN’T doing. They feed our community, they clothed our community, they provide eviction prevention through rental payments, they provide temporary housing, they do homeless outreach, any and everything you can think of to serve, they’ve done it.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

That they are completely selfless (seemingly) tireless, and compassionate about their Community, and it SHOWS through ALL of the work that they do

Thank you for all you do, UPTOWN FREE STORE!

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Know someone making a difference in town?

Nominate them here.