On November 5, 2023, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and representatives from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York commenced the holiday season with a food distribution event at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This initiative aims to provide Thanksgiving meals to over 3,000 families in need, featuring turkeys and traditional trimmings.
The event unfolded after Sunday Mass, drawing a congregation of approximately 2,500 people. Positioned outside the cathedral was a 21-foot truck loaded with around 7,000 pounds of food. The Thanksgiving distribution, which began last week, is intended to raise awareness about the ongoing need for food assistance and encourage community participation.
“We filled a food truck with food to feed those without,” Cardinal Dolan stated, as he stood beside the truck adorned with messages like “Feeding our Neighbors” and “Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New York – 100 years providing help, creating hope.” He emphasized the spirit of generosity during this season, noting that Catholic Charities operates year-round to address food insecurity.
During the ceremony, Cardinal Dolan blessed the food set to be distributed in the coming days, highlighting the urgency of the effort. The organization plans to distribute more than 500 turkeys and essential side dishes on November 7, 2023, at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Community Center in Harlem.
In expressing gratitude for the support received, Cardinal Dolan remarked, “Bless us, bless this food we are honored to share. Continue to make our land fruitful.” His call to action aimed to inspire others to engage in charitable activities during the holiday season.
Catholic Charities operates as a network comprising roughly 90 agencies across ten counties in the Archdiocese of New York. J. Antonio Fernández, CEO of Catholic Charities, noted the influx of donations from both private individuals and corporations, stating, “We’ve been doing this for decades. Every time we run out.”
The demand for food assistance has risen significantly, according to Lakisha Morris, division director of food and housing for Catholic Charities. She pointed to factors such as inflation and the cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as contributors to this increased need. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of people needing food pantry assistance,” Morris added.
As part of its holiday outreach, Catholic Charities will also provide Halal Thanksgiving turkeys to 100 Bronx families in collaboration with the Islamic Society of the Bronx. Additionally, they plan to deliver turkeys and trimmings to 750 households through various distribution sites in neighborhoods including Morningside Heights and Washington Heights.
In a special effort, Catholic Charities will host a Thanksgiving meal for 200 families at the Mitchell Houses in the Bronx, a site that recently experienced a tragic building collapse. They will also offer emergency meals to 300 households, providing essential items such as lean protein, fresh produce, and shelf-stable goods.
Beyond their holiday initiatives, Catholic Charities continues to operate food pantries and conduct food distributions throughout the year, serving as a vital resource for those in need. Morris highlighted, “Collectively, we serve 10 million meals, assisting hundreds of thousands of families annually.”
In addition, Catholic Charities is gearing up for its annual St. Nicholas Project Shopping Day, which aims to provide winter clothing and accessories for 500 individuals and families. They are also launching the “Adopt A Family” initiative, which invites community members to support families in need by fulfilling their holiday wish lists.
Fernández emphasized the long-standing tradition of holiday food drives within the Catholic Church, reinforcing the importance of giving back during the festive season. “We are blessed to have and more blessed to give,” he stated, underscoring the ongoing commitment of Catholic Charities to support the community.
