Cardinal Timothy Dolan, alongside officials from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, officially launched the Thanksgiving giving season with a food distribution event outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The initiative aims to provide meals for over 3,000 families in need, highlighting the increasing demand for assistance as the holidays approach.
During a Sunday Mass attended by approximately 2,500 people, Cardinal Dolan stood beside a 21-foot truck loaded with about 7,000 pounds of food. The truck was emblazoned with the message “Feeding our Neighbors” and the Catholic Charities logo, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to aiding those in need. “We filled a food truck with food to feed those without,” Cardinal Dolan stated, underlining the charitable spirit that drives this initiative.
The Thanksgiving food distribution commenced last week and will continue through this week. The event at St. Patrick’s Cathedral serves as a traditional ceremony to draw attention to the ongoing effort. Cardinal Dolan expressed his gratitude for the community’s support, stating that he hopes to inspire more people to contribute to the cause. “Bless us, bless this food we are honored to share,” he said, appealing for continued generosity.
Community Support and Distribution Plans
Catholic Charities plans to distribute more than 500 turkeys along with traditional side dishes such as corn bread, collard greens, and potatoes. The main distribution will take place on Tuesday at the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Community Center in Harlem. “We’ve been blessed with many donations from private donors and corporations,” remarked J. Antonio Fernández, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, emphasizing the organization’s long-standing commitment to serving those in need.
The organization also aims to provide Halal Thanksgiving turkeys to 100 families in the Bronx in partnership with the Islamic Society of the Bronx. Additionally, they will serve 750 households through various food distribution sites across churches in Morningside Heights, Washington Heights, and the Bronx. Special Thanksgiving meals will be prepared for 200 families at the Mitchell Houses, a site that experienced a tragic building collapse in October.
As ongoing challenges such as inflation and the suspension of SNAP benefits increase the demand for food assistance, Catholic Charities has observed a significant rise in the number of individuals seeking help. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of people needing food pantry assistance,” said Lakisha Morris, division director of food and housing for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of New York.
Year-Round Commitment to Aid
Beyond the Thanksgiving season, Catholic Charities operates food pantries and conducts home and pop-up distributions year-round. The organization serves approximately 10 million meals annually, reaching hundreds of thousands of families. “Every time we run out,” Fernández noted, reflecting on the continuous need for support within the community.
In addition to food distributions, Catholic Charities is preparing for its annual St. Nicholas Project Shopping Day, where they will provide coats, sweaters, and winter accessories for 500 individuals and families in need. They are also launching their Adopt A Family initiative, which encourages the public to sponsor families for the holiday season by fulfilling their wish lists.
The efforts of Catholic Charities during the holiday season highlight the importance of community support and the spirit of giving. As Cardinal Dolan concluded, “Most Catholic Charities do this around the country. We are blessed to have and more blessed to give.”
