One Brooklyn
BROOKLYN, NY, November 20, 2017: On Friday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams distributed 15,000 pounds of food, including turkeys and healthy trimmings, to more than 100 local food pantries and houses of worship that are serving Brooklynites in need this Thanksgiving. This distribution included 870 turkeys weighing 12,180 pounds and vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, weighing 2,850 pounds. Borough President Adams gave thanks to the sponsors and volunteers who made this distribution possible, and spoke to the spirit of One Brooklyn in giving back during the holiday season.
“It’s Thanksgiving, not Thanks-getting, for a reason,” said Borough President Adams. “It’s so important that we come together as One Brooklyn to lend a helping hand to those in need of a warm Thanksgiving meal. These turkeys and healthy trimmings will reach thousands of our fellow neighbors, and are a symbol of compassion and love at a time when families are coming together to celebrate the season of giving. We appreciate all those who help us to help others, and we hope that all Brooklynites see it in their hearts to share with others who are struggling this holiday season.”
Organizations that sponsored Borough President Adams’ Thanksgiving distribution included Amalgamated Bank, Bed Bath and Beyond, First American International Bank, Fresh Direct, Investors Bank, Kings Plaza, National Grid, Plaza Auto Mall, Shop Rite, and Target. Additional volunteer support was provided by Airbnb and the Bedford-Stuyvesant Lions Club.
“National Grid’s ‘Power to Serve’ employee volunteer team is committed to giving back to the Brooklyn communities that we have proudly served for over a century,” said Ken Daly, president at National Grid New York. “Our long-standing support of the annual Brooklyn Borough Hall turkey drive to help our customers in need is one of the many ways that National Grid’s employees engage and volunteer in the communities we serve.”
“For five years in a row, members of our banking team in Brooklyn have volunteered their time to help Borough President Adams brighten the lives of thousands of families on Thanksgiving Day and we are proud to continue that tradition this holiday season,” said Ana Oliveira, senior vice president of Investors Bank. “Our team is proud to join nonprofit organizations and houses of worship to help organize the distribution of turkeys throughout the borough.”
“A cornerstone of Target’s culture is giving and volunteerism,” said Kelly McGarrity, community captain of the New York metro area at Target. “This is the third year we have had the pleasure to support this initiative with donations and volunteers. It is important for us to be active locally to help create healthy and thriving communities in which we do business. Target thanks Borough President Adams for creating so many opportunities for our teams to make a difference.”
“Plaza Auto Mall has been proudly supporting the Brooklyn community for over 40 years,” said Adam Rosatti, general manager at Plaza Auto Mall. “We know how important it is to take care of and support those around us, which is why we employ over 500 local residents. We take community involvement very seriously, and are proud to be a part of a group of corporations and nonprofit organizations that will be donating turkeys to those in need. We appreciate how much the community does for Plaza Auto Mall and will continue to do our very best to do our part in helping those in need.”
“As a member of the Bed-Stuy community, Amalgamated Bank is proud to participate in this year’s Thanksgiving turkey distribution alongside Borough President Adams and our fellow neighborhood businesses,” said Katie Franger, assistant vice president at Amalgamated Bank. “We have always maintained a strong commitment to strengthening the communities in which we do business, whether it’s offering financial literacy lessons to local residents or participating in valuable neighborhood events like this one.”
In addition, Borough President Adams announced a new $5,000 discretionary grant to Benefit Kitchen, a financial literacy mobile application with which he has partnered that uses algorithms to determine the eligibility and estimated dollar value of up to eighteen federal, state, and local benefits. Earlier this year, he allocated an initial $5,000 to support trainings for the app across the borough, as well as additional outreach to educate Brooklynites and New Yorkers on how to take advantage of the mobile tool. Borough President Adams noted all of the food pantries and faith-based organizations receiving Thanksgiving distributions will be encouraged to take part in future trainings that his administration will help provide.
“We are focused on more than just Thanksgiving; we need to fill kitchens all year round with healthy, nutritious meals,” said Borough President Adams. “So many Brooklynites are leaving resources on the table, and we need to help them get over the awareness barrier. I’m so proud to deepen my partnership with Benefit Kitchen to steer individuals and families toward the path of financial stability.”
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