Grassroots Organizers Help Sandy Victims
Occupy Sandy has no official structure or government connections, but it gets stuff done
"They're evacuating the Rockaways," says Tammy, identified by her duct-tape name tag. "The storm surge is going to be 3 to 5 feet. I can't send my volunteers into a dangerous situation."
"We've got that U-Haul truck of donated groceries," replies Shlomo, wearing a green military-style cap. "The truck's gotta go back to the Upper West Side tonight, and it's all fresh food that's gonna spoil. I think I can make it out there. What do you wanna do?"
She sighs. "I already told all the cars to turn back. I don't know."
They gaze out at the street in front of St. Jacobi Church in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Double-parked cars drop off donations or get filled with supplies and potential field volunteers. A new storm is set to hammer a region that hasn't yet recovered from Hurricane Sandy. Basements remain flooded, countless high-rise towers are still without power or water, and the Red Cross and FEMA can't keep up with the community's basic needs.