South Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato partnered with volunteers from the Ozone Park Residents Block Association, The Ozone Park Howard Beach Woodhaven Lions Club, and members of Our Neighbors Civic Association, to provide meals to the men and women of the NYPD’s 106th Precinct. During the lunch hours, officers and support staff had the opportunity to come into the precinct's back room to get food, with volunteers and Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato dolling out hot food like pasta and sausages, or providing sandwiches and salad.

“This is one way we can give back to the precinct and say thank you for all their hard work,” said the Assemblywoman. “The police are out there protecting us every day, and the community appreciates their diligent work. It was my pleasure to partner with these amazing civic groups and volunteers who wanted to make sure our police officers, and everyone in the 106th Precinct, knew they were appreciated.” The Assemblywoman was one of the financial sponsors of the multi-day catered food that was provided to the officers of the 106th Precinct and 102nd Precinct.

One police officer deliberately thanked Pheffer Amato for her legislative work which changed the law to allow Tier 3 NYPD Officers to take a pension loan. Prior to the Assemblywoman’s legislation going into effect, certain members of the NYPD were prohibited from borrowing from contributions made to their pension fund. This had been an ongoing topic of concern in the police community as the ability to take pension loans has long been a significant benefit for public employees who often use these loans to assist them to fund educational expenses, a down payment on a mortgage, or other vital needs. “I’m always going to work on legislation that backs the blue and helps our police officers - but also their families by ensuring their pension and benefits are taken care of,” said the Assemblywoman.