The New York Athletic Club was buzzing with anticipation as Catholic Renewal hosted its annual event to support Catholic Charities New York. The gathering highlighted CCNY’s vital role in helping over 150,000 households annually across Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley, providing essential services like food assistance, shelter, and aid to vulnerable groups such as the homeless, children, families, immigrants, and refugees.
This year, over $1.9 million was raised for the Feeding Our Neighbors (FON) program, which served 5.7 million meals in 2023, reaching about 713,670 people. The program runs five food pantries and partners with 33 additional pantries and three soup kitchens, assisting around 50,000 people monthly and distributing nearly five million meals annually.
Monsignor Kevin Sullivan shared a story illustrating the impact of these contributions, recalling how they helped a Bronx grandmother provide for her family. “The need has grown so immense that we’ve expanded our efforts,” he said, emphasizing that mobile food pantries now travel throughout the metropolitan area to reach those most in need.
The evening honored Frank Oswald and Heather Lennox for their significant contributions. Frank, a distinguished bankruptcy lawyer, stated, “All of my charity work, I’m not talking about writing the checks and the donations, buying the candy. I’m talking about the organizations that Al mentioned. It all comes from restructuring work.” His dedication reflects the impact of leveraging professional skills to support community needs.
Heather Lennox, praised for her extensive community work, expressed her gratitude: “Thank you for this incredible honor. It’s truly inspiring to see so many people come together to make a difference.” She highlighted the importance of collective action in providing dignity and hope through initiatives like the Feed Our Neighbors program.
The event also addressed the broader impact of Catholic Charities New York programs, with rising food prices and an increase in demand due to factors such as the pandemic and the arrival of over 200,000 asylum seekers. The FON program meets these challenges by focusing on culturally appropriate food items and nutrition education to better serve diverse communities.
As the night concluded, guests left with a sense of accomplishment, having contributed to a cause that deeply affects the lives of thousands of New Yorkers.
