Bishop of Brooklyn Joined Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens at Turkey Distribution for Those in Need
3,200 Families Served Before the Thanksgiving Holiday
The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, joined Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens on Monday, November 21, to distribute donated turkeys to 1,100 individuals and families in need at Holy Innocents Roman Catholic Church, located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn.
In his invocation before handing out the donated turkeys to Brooklynites in need, Bishop Brennan led those in attendance in prayer and focused on the importance of serving one another. “This Thanksgiving, we think of the many ways you bless and inspire us to serve one another. We ask that you (O’ Lord) bless the food that’s to be given out, to bless all the people who are here in the various different ways so that we can always give glory to You in the way that we live our lives”. Bishop Brennan who also helped hand out turkeys to Brooklynites said, “this is kind of special because it’s a holiday, Thanksgiving Day. But the reality is that Catholic Charities, through our parishes and various different programs here in the churches, are present to people all the time. This is a special event for a special day, but it’s a year-round relationship.”
Al and Maria Catanese generously donated turkeys this year, continuing a seven-year tradition in honor of their parents. In addition, Ace Endico, EJ Electric, Empire BlueCross/BlueShield, the New York City District Council of Carpenters, the Steamfitters Union, and Univision Nueva York Contigo donated turkeys, chickens, and food assistance.
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens served 3,200 families during three turkey distributions. 1,100 families were served on November 15 at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in Corona, and an additional 1,000 families were served on November 17 at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Jamaica, Queens. Recipients in both boroughs also received a $50.00 food voucher to supplement their Thanksgiving meals.
The VIMEO link can be found here: https://vimeo.com/773452425
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About Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens: For over 124 years, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been providing quality social services to the neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens and currently offers 160-plus programs and services for children, youth, adults, older adults, and those struggling with mental illness. Since 1975, Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Development Corporation, the affordable housing developer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, has been transforming vacant land and buildings into affordable housing units and transforming the lives of individuals and families, and completed more than 4,567 units with supportive services for seniors, families, veterans and the formerly homeless. Since the pandemic began, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has provided much-needed food packages and services at 60 Catholic Charities parish-based food pantries and has distributed over $11 million in food assistance. Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens continues to deliver crucial mental health counseling, housing services, family services, early childhood education, and emergency services. For more information, please visit www.ccbq.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @cathcharitiesBQ or @catholiccharitiesBQ.