ASTORIA – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris hosted a Fall Festival backpack giveaway at Astoria Houses on October 27. He partnered with the Astoria Houses Tenants Association and Greater New York LECET, a labor-management partnership between affiliated LiUNA Laborers’ locals and their signatory contractors. Senator Gianaris gave away over 150 backpacks filled with school supplies and coloring books to children and families in Astoria House. The backpacks were donated by GNY LECET.

“With the school year underway, the need for school supplies continues for many families,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I thank GNY LECET and Ms. Claudia Coger and the Astoria Houses Tenants Association for their partnership in this effort.”

“Fall is a great time to celebrate community here at Astoria Houses and I thank Senator Gianaris and GNY LECET for helping us do that by providing backpacks and supplies to our children and families,” said Claudia Coger, President of the Astoria Houses Tenants Association.

“Working together to empower local residents – in the communities our members also live and work in – is more important now than ever before as families continue to struggle with the economic impacts of COVID-19,” said Michael Prohaska, Executive Director of the Greater New York Laborers Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (GNY LECET). “GNY LECET was proud to partner with Senator Gianaris and Astoria Houses Residents’ Association President Claudia Coger for this week’s Fall Festival.”