Aiding Immigrant Victims of COVID-19 Pandemic

As COVID-19 cases rise again in New Jersey, Centro Comunitario CEUS is working hard to help severely affected immigrants with food, financial and legal assistance.

CEUS volunteers on September 13 distributed more than 100 packages of rice, beans and other foods donated by Goya Foods to low-income immigrants, many of whom are unable to obtain government help due to their limited immigration status (see video below).

In June and July, CEUS distributed more than $150,000 in direct aid to about 180 immigrants in a project funded by the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. And a CEUS online fundraising campaign paid for supermarket gift cards distributed to immigrants in northern New Jersey. 

CEUS has also received a $10,000 grant from the Russell Berrie Foundation to help immigrants affected by the pandemic. The funds will help needy immigrants pay the fees and costs of their citizenship applications. 

Immigrants continue to struggle with the effects of the pandemic, with many still jobless or working reduced hours.

“This aid is really necessary,” said Marta Mayne, who picked up food for herself, her husband, and their two children from CEUS on September 13. “I lost my job, and we have to survive on my husband’s earnings. But his paycheck doesn’t cover all the cost of the food, rent, and utilities.”

CEUS is looking for donors and sponsors who can contribute to a Thanksgiving food distribution. Anyone who is able to support the project should contact CEUS at: [email protected].

‘We are trying to make connections with companies and organizations who want to work with us to help the community,” said Blanca Molina, executive director of CEUS. “This is food that community members desperately need because many are still not working.”