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BROOKLYN, NY – Last Friday, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, in partnership with UA3, hosted his annual Thanksgiving food distribution event outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall. Staff distributed nearly 70,000 pounds of fresh produce, non-perishables, and other food items to more than 130 houses of worship, community kitchens, and other community-based organizations addressing food insecurity and homelessness. New York Liberty players Rebekah Gardner and Natasha Cloud joined to help distribute food to Brooklyn organizations. Volunteers from Brownsville In Violence Out (BIVO), SUNY Brooklyn Educational Opportunity Center (BEOC), Bridge Street Development Corporation, Men Elevating Leadership (M.E.L), and the Brooklyn Lions also joined to help out.
This event was made possible by the support of UA3, Citizens, Food Bazaar, Hispanic Federation, Macerich, Met Council, National Grid, Optimum, and Ponce Bank.
“Thanksgiving is a joyful time dedicated to connecting with loved ones, enjoying delicious foods, and celebrating what we are grateful for. For many families, however, it’s also a time of great stress, as they struggle to afford healthy, plentiful foods for the dinner table,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This year, food insecurity worsened across our borough after President Trump decided to deny 1.8 million New Yorkers access to their SNAP benefits during our nation’s longest government shutdown in history. Food pantries had lines around the block, and parents wondered if their kids would go to sleep hungry. But here in Brooklyn, we refuse for our neighbors’ hunger to be used as a bargaining chip, and all over the borough, we saw residents show up for one another and do what they can to meet the needs of our community. Today’s Thanksgiving distribution at Borough Hall is no different, and I’m so grateful to our partners for joining my office in providing holiday meals to neighbors in need across the borough. To everyone who calls Brooklyn home – have a very joyous Thanksgiving!”
The severity of New York City’s food insecurity crisis was recently underscored after President Trump defied court orders and declined to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the longest government shutdown in US history. Nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP benefits to bring food to the table – benefits that were nearly stripped right before the holiday season. According to a recent Robin Hood report, a staggering 31% of adults and 44% of families with children in New York City experienced food hardship in 2023.
Borough President Reynoso’s food distribution event will help ensure thousands of under-resourced Brooklynites can enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving meal with turkey, rice, potatoes, carrots, corn, beans, and more.
“Our longstanding partnership with Borough President Reynoso makes a huge difference to the people of Brooklyn.”, said UA3 President Don Hong. “Because of his support we provide fresh food, not just at holiday times, but every single week to all areas of Brooklyn. Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso shares our mission to feed those who are hungry. UA3 is grateful for his support of bringing mobile refrigeration to Brooklyn in 2026 so that we can feed even more people.”
“At Citizens, we believe in the power of giving back and helping uplift our communities,” said Rebecca O’Connell, New York Metro Market President at Citizens. “Through partnerships with organizations like the Brooklyn Borough Presidents Office, we’re committed to making a local impact and helping bring families together this Thanksgiving.”
“National Grid is honored to once again partner with the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office for this year’s Thanksgiving Food Distribution, ensuring families facing food insecurity have access to nourishing meals as they gather to celebrate this holiday season,” said Eileen Cifone, Director Community and Public Engagement of National Grid. “Supporting our neighbors during this special time reflects our shared commitment to community investment and making a positive impact, together.”
“Optimum is proud to continue supporting Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso’s annual Thanksgiving Distribution, an initiative that delivers essential relief and support to local families across Brooklyn this holiday season,” said Jay Guy, Vice President, General Manager of Optimum New York. “At Optimum, we believe in the power of coming together as a community and we are grateful for our partnership with Borough President Reynoso and his team. Through this collaboration, we’re able to provide crucial resources to local families and strengthen our commitment to the residents and businesses of Brooklyn, ensuring that every family has access to a Thanksgiving meal.”
“Food insecurity affects many families, and supporting our neighbors’ wellbeing and stability begins with ensuring they have access to something as essential as nutritious food,” said Carlos Naudon, President and CEO of Ponce Bank. “As a community bank with branches in Brooklyn and deep roots across New York City, Ponce Bank is committed to helping the people we serve build more secure and prosperous lives. Our partnership with Borough President Antonio Reynoso and other dedicated organizations reflects that mission, and we are grateful to come together this Thanksgiving to support our community in a moment when the need is felt even more deeply.”
