A Morning of Community and Compassion
On the morning of November 25, Catholic Charities of New York’s Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Community Center in Harlem was filled with warmth, gratitude, and the unmistakable spirit of New York.
Governor Kathy Hochul and His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan kicked off our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution at the Kennedy Community Center. They helped greet neighbors and hand out turkeys and all the holiday essentials. More than 500 families brought home everything needed for a dignified Thanksgiving celebration.
Cardinal Dolan and Governor Hochul stood alongside Catholic Charities’ leadership — J. Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities of New York; Lisa M. Flores, CEO of Catholic Charities Community Services; and Bill Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees — all committed to making this holiday brighter for families across the city. Trustee Kathy Cudahy also joined the effort, along with elected officials U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat, NYS Senator Cordell Cleare, and Assembly Members Jordan J.G. Wright and Al Taylor.
Additional community partners were on-site providing resources and support, including ArchCare, Health First, and People Against Landlord Abuse and Tenant Exploitation (PA’LANTE).
Volunteers from across the community, including an energetic team from TD Bank, worked side by side with staff to hand out turkeys, cornbread, rice, yams, milk, eggs, and more. Hot chocolate was offered to families waiting in line — many of whom arrived before dawn — helping keep neighbors warm on a chilly fall morning.
Governor Hochul: “We stand together. We help each other.”
Governor Hochul delivered a powerful message of solidarity and gratitude for Catholic Charities and the volunteers who made this event possible.
“I come here today with a heart full of gratitude for all the volunteers and Catholic Charities. For the people who are here today, we are here to lift you up — to say we see you, we understand you,” Governor Hochul said.
“Life can be hard sometimes, but I believe to our core we are better than that. We are New Yorkers. We stand together. We help each other in our time of need,” she said. “That is how I was raised as a social justice Catholic. That is how I know everyone in New York feels — not just during this holiday time but year-round.”
She also reminded those gathered to honor veterans facing hardship. “Never forget to thank those who served in our military. Many of them are homeless and struggling as well. They deserve better than that,” Governor Hochul said.
Cardinal Dolan: “Catholic Charities does this every day.”
Cardinal Dolan and reflected on the personal, human-centered approach that defines Catholic Charities’ work.
“This is a special day — you bet — but Catholic Charities does this every day,” he said.
Cardinal Dolan spoke about meeting families who had arrived in the early morning hours. “They say: We love coming to Catholic Charities. They know us. They know our names. They know our families. They remember what we need. They ask about our kids and grandparents,” he explained.
“It’s personal. People have a name. That’s how Jesus was. Jesus fed those who are hungry. We try to do what Jesus did. Catholic Charities does it very very well,” Cardinal Dolan said.
Serving Thousands Across New York This Thanksgiving Season
The Harlem distribution is one of many events Catholic Charities is coordinating across New York this Thanksgiving season, ensuring more than 3,000 families can gather around a holiday table filled with everything they need for a meaningful celebration.
Each year, Catholic Charities provides 10 million meals across its network of pantries, soup kitchens, mobile food programs, and home-delivered meal services — supporting neighbors facing food insecurity across New York.
As families carried home their turkeys and ingredients, the atmosphere was filled with gratitude — not only from those receiving food, but from every donor, supporter, volunteer, and community member who came together to lift up New Yorkers during the holidays.
