Just in time for Thanksgiving! On Friday, November 18th, Brooklyn residents gathered at Bishop Mugavaro Senior Apartments where representatives of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ) were joined by members of the NYPD Emerald Society and the NYPD Holy Name Society to hand out Thanksgiving birds and all the sides. In what has become an annual tradition, those in need can pick up their Turkeys along with collard greens, stuffing, squash, potatoes, onions, apple sauce and more for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Similarly, Queens’ residents flocked to CCBQ’s Queens Community Center at 23-40 Astoria Boulevard on Monday, November 21st to receive their donated turkey and traditional sides from the helping hands of volunteers. As was the case in Brooklyn, Officers of the NYPD Emerald Society and NYPD Holy Name Society were on hand to help carry bags and hand out food to those in attendance.
Alphonese and Maria Catanese were instrumental in supplying the 800 turkeys, and donated the turkeys in memory of their parents, Alphonse & Agnes Catanese and John & Betty Ingrassia. Every year, Al’s father would provide turkeys for his employees and friends at local supply yards, brick yards, cement block plants and concrete plants, believing that giving someone a turkey on Thanksgiving showed you care about them as a person.
“This holiday is focused on giving thanks for family, friends and community. We consider the residents of Brooklyn and Queens to be a part of our family here at CCBQ and we are grateful to the Catanese family, who helped us ensure that 800 families received a full Thanksgiving dinner,” said Msgr. LoPinto, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
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In this photo: Alphonese and Maria Catanese, pictured with Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, CEO of Catholic Charities, were instrumental in supplying the 800 turkeys, and donated the turkeys in memory of their parents, Alphonse & Agnes Catanese and John & Betty Ingrassia.
About Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ): For over 115 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, persons with developmental disabilities, and those struggling with mental illness. As one of the largest faith-based developers of affordable housing in the country, Catholic Charities provides 3,750 units of housing for low-income seniors, families, and the formerly homeless, with an additional 750 units of special needs housing, throughout Brooklyn and Queens. For additional information, visit our website at www.ccbq.org.
