As families in Cypress Hills prepare to go back to school, Zonobia Crowell is making sure they have the tools they need to succeed.
“We may not have all the supplies they need, but I hope it helps them a little bit to get on their way,” she said.
What you need to know
- Zonobia Crowell coordinates the distribution of school supplies at the Essex Street Community Garden every year.
- Her team distributed 250 school bags this year
- Crowell also organizes a Halloween event, movie nights and more at the New York Restoration Project Space
Crowell is behind this backpack giveaway at the Essex Street Community Garden. She is the volunteer gardening coordinator for the New York Restoration Project, which owns the Brooklyn space.
“I love doing this because I know our community needs this,” Crowell said. “I try to do this every year. So all the people like this can get a bag.”
Crowell began distributing 75 backpacks over a decade ago, and over time she expanded the effort to include other supplies and services for the neighborhood.
“Each partner brings a different kind of helpful resource for the parents and also for the children,” she said.
“This definitely puts us on the right track,” said Ashanti Walker, a mother from East New York. “I need backpacks, I need some books, pencils and definitely books because my kids love to read.”
And it’s not just this giveaway. Crowell has also organized coat distributions, arts and crafts events, and more. Her goal is to invite people to this green space.
“People need to know they can come here and grow things,” Crowell said. “It teaches them to grow their own or healthy food, fruits and vegetables,” she continued.
Crowell says it’s just about having a presence in East Brooklyn.
“There are so many things we don’t have, you know, and we just need to be able to give back to the community,” she said. “We need each other.”
Because she has reopened schools in her neighborhood, Zonobia Crowell is our New Yorker of the Week.
