South Queens Churches Organize Earthquake Relief for Venezuela

By Helen Vance, Transportation & Infrastructure Reporter | March 18, 2026 | Community

NEW YORK — More than 500 local families gathered at parish centers along Cross Bay Boulevard over the weekend to coordinate an emergency relief drive, according to organizers from the Queens Catholic Coalition. The localized humanitarian effort aims to send food, water filtration kits, and medical supplies to South American disaster zones.

Volunteers spent Saturday sorting and packing dozens of heavy cardboard boxes filled with donated goods. The donation centers were established in response to a catastrophic natural disaster that has devastated families across Venezuela.

Local Humanitarian Network Rallies to Assist Disaster Survivors

The community mobilization began immediately following reports of a severe seismic event that flattened multiple residential blocks. Local church groups and civic associations quickly organized donation drop-off points to ensure aid could be shipped directly to trusted non-profit partners working on the ground.

According to an official disaster bulletin published by Death toll from Venezuela’s twin earthquakes rises to 3,811 as survivors dig for loved ones in rubble, the confirmed death toll has climbed to 3,811 as rescue teams race against time. Tens of thousands of survivors are currently living in temporary shelters under hazardous, unstable conditions.

Relief Coordinator Details the Urgent Need for Medical Shipments

"The sheer scale of this disaster is heartbreaking, and we have many families in South Queens who have lost communication with their relatives," relief coordinator Father Miguel Torres said Sunday afternoon. Torres confirmed that the parish has partnered with international cargo carriers to expedite shipping to Caracas.

Volunteers are focusing their collection efforts on high-priority items, including baby formula, bandages, antibiotics, and portable solar lights. Local pharmacies in Howard Beach have donated several cases of basic medical supplies to support the drive.

South Queens Residents Demonstrate Deep Empathy and Support

This community-led aid drive is part of a strong tradition of local organizing and mutual support in Queens. Many of the families coordinating this effort have previously participated in other local initiatives, such as the public discussions that took place during school safety discussions organized by parents in South Queens.

Local restaurants have also contributed, providing hot meals for the volunteers who worked long hours packing shipping containers. Civic leaders hope that the shipment will arrive in the disaster zone within the next ten days.

Donation Centers to Remain Open as Shipping Coordination Continues

The collection drive is scheduled to continue through the end of the month, with drop-off bins located at three major community centers along the boulevard. Organizers are asking for monetary donations to help cover the high cost of air freight.

To ensure transparency, the coalition plans to post regular shipping updates and photos of the aid distribution on community bulletin boards. Neighbors are encouraged to check the parish website for a list of most-needed items before purchasing donations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most urgent items needed for the Venezuelan relief drive? The most needed items include non-perishable dry food, powdered baby formula, medical supplies like bandages and over-the-counter pain relievers, and water purification tablets. Organizers request that contributors do not donate clothing at this time due to shipping weight limits.

How can residents make sure their financial donations reach the victims? Donors are advised to contribute directly through the Queens Catholic Coalition's verified disaster relief portal or make checks payable to the Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund. These funds are used exclusively to purchase medical cargo space and local supplies through verified relief agencies on the ground.