Helping Others at Thanksgiving

This season can be very difficult for many. Some people don’t have enough money to make a proper Thanksgiving meal and others don’t have a warm place or family with whom to celebrate.

With this in mind, it’s always heartwarming to see when people and organizations take the time to help others. Brooklyn is witnessing a heartwarming display of community spirit as local businesses, politicians, and organizations come together to support food-insecure residents through generous turkey giveaways and food distribution events.

Ruby’s Bar and Grill set the tone for the season of giving on November 19 by donating 500 turkeys at the Riegelmann Boardwalk. In collaboration with neighborhood businesses like Luna Park and Nathan’s, Council Member Justin Brannan and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton distributed frozen turkeys to families in Coney Island.

Efforts to target specific vulnerable populations have been equally impactful. Council Member Mercedes Narcisse partnered with DoorDash to provide turkeys to families in District 46, while Council Member Susan Zhuang prioritized seniors in Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Sunset Park. In Bed-Stuy, Council Member Chi Ossé teamed up with Drive Change to extend support to local residents.

Large-scale initiatives have further amplified these efforts. At Kings Plaza, city officials distributed 1,500 turkeys, and nearly 1,000 turkeys were given away in Flatbush, thanks to Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso distributed an impressive 50,000 pounds of fresh produce and Thanksgiving foods to 115 community organizations across the borough.

With approximately 1.2 million New Yorkers facing food insecurity, these initiatives provide critical relief during the holiday season.