BOROUGH HALL  — On Friday, Nov. 22, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso hosted an annual Thanksgiving food distribution event, which aims to combat food insecurity and homelessness.

“Thanksgiving is a time to come together to practice gratitude, eat fresh food and spend time with loved ones. Unfortunately, for too many Brooklynites, it’s a reminder of the challenges they face to put food on the table,” said Reynoso. “While the fight against food insecurity is every day and ongoing, I am so thankful to our partners and staff who’ve worked so hard to ensure more Brooklynites can enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving meal with turkey, rice, potatoes, carrots, apples, beans and more.”  

Staff distributed over 60,000 pounds of fresh produce, non-perishables and other food items to more than 120 Brooklyn houses of worship, community kitchens and other organizations and nonprofits addressing food insecurity and homelessness in partnership with UA3, a community-based nonprofit organization which focuses on targeting food inequity. 

“This vital initiative facilitates the distribution of thousands of pounds of food to nonprofit organizations throughout Brooklyn, ensuring that residents in need can enjoy a nourishing and festive Thanksgiving meal,” said Vic Pascarelli, vice president of General Manager of Optimum Northeast. “We deeply appreciate the partnership with Borough President Reynoso and his office, whose unwavering dedication to addressing the community’s needs is truly commendable. Their efforts make a significant impact, and Optimum is proud to contribute to such a meaningful cause.” 

According to City Harvest, a charity organization and the city’s largest food rescue operation, 50% of working-aged households — or nearly 3 million people — in New York City struggle to afford basic expenses such as rent, utilities and food.  

“A recent report from RobinHood.org revealed that the number of New Yorkers using food pantries recently has risen to one in three. This is a dire reflection on the affordability crisis we face throughout this city,” said Carlos Naudon, president and CEO of Ponce Bank. “Now more than ever it’s critical that these problems be tackled locally, and that’s why we’re proud to join Borough President Reynoso and UA3, once again supporting their efforts to ensure that our Brooklyn neighbors don’t go hungry, not only during the holidays but throughout the year.”

The Borough Hall food distribution event was made possible with the support of UA3, Amazon, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, C-Town of East Williamsburg, Delta Air Lines, Food Bazaar, Goya, Hispanic Federation, Hunts Point Produce Market, National Grid, Optimum, Ponce Bank, Thrivent Bank, Met Council and the National Supermarket Association. 

“At the Met Council, we are proud to partner with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to ensure that families in need have a joyful Thanksgiving. We are providing thousands of turkeys to people in need this holiday season across New York,” said David Greenfield, CEO of Met Council on Jewish Poverty.  

Anthony Diaz, owner of C-Town of East Williamsburg, added, “C-Town of East Williamsburg and the Diaz Family are proud to have served the Brooklyn community for over 40 years.” 

Other food drives around the borough are being hosted by elected officials, nonprofits and community groups to ensure that every New Yorker has access to healthy, free food throughout the holidays. Food distribution locations can be found on the City Harvest food map and the New York City food pantry map. Community Boards and councilmembers also offer resources for food drives, and some are hosting turkey giveaways and Thanksgiving dinner events. 

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