Throughout the year, hundreds of Brooklynites find food security through the North Brooklyn Angels daily meal service that aims to mitigate the rising costs of necessities associated with gentrification. During the holidays, the nonprofit amps up its food distribution by offering a restaurant-style service, including a traditional Thanksgiving meal. 

“When you’re providing a dignified meal you’re not just providing food, you’re providing a healthy experience,” said Kendra Chiu, executive director of the Angels. 

This holiday season marked the fifth annual “Neighbors Giving Thanks” campaign, which lasted throughout the month of November. During this time, the Angels donated more than 1,000 turkeys and involved more than 100 volunteers across four North Brooklyn Neighborhoods: Williamsburg, East Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, the Angels hosted two simultaneous meals at the Church of the Ascension in Greenpoint and at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Williamsburg, where those in need ate turkey, vegetables and pies. 

14-year-old Angelina Aviles, founder of nonprofit Care2Create, first heard about the North Brooklyn Angels by seeing her grandmother receive their meals throughout the years. She said that she wanted to give something back to the Angels and the community while developing her social skills. 

“I think that the holidays are the most important time to be able to give back because some people don’t have a lot. They really need something especially during the holiday season,” said Aviles. For Thanksgiving, she asked her mom if she could bring her friend Giuliana Astore and Astore’s dad along to volunteer at the Aviles’ former parish, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.