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FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT
since 1982
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Dear Friends,
As August ends, we find ourselves facing painful realities—deep cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and the EFSP program have left thousands of our neighbors more vulnerable than ever. Seniors, children, working families, and the unhoused are being pushed even further to the margins. At St. John’s Bread and Life, we feel this heartbreak every day.
But we are not giving up. We are rising. In the truest Vincentian spirit, we are responding with compassion as our compass, and continuing to serve every person who comes to us—offering hot meals, a state of the art digital food pantry, emergency food packages, case management, and above all DIGINITY. We’ve expanded our mobile markets, launched a health initiative with the United Way of NYC, and we are lending our expertise to St. John’s University as they create a student food pantry for those in need. We are adapting, evolving, and standing strong.
This year, we had 474,000 visits, served over 330,000 hot meals, and supported thousands of seniors, mothers, and children through our pantry and mobile market. No small feat in a time when government cuts are stretching an already fragile system and of course asking us to do more with less. This is a big challenge but one we are ready to face with your help and prayers.
Now, we need you.
As Hunger Action Month approaches, join us in supporting our Fill The Truck Campaign which begins in September. Every gift, every prayer, every act of kindness helps us bridge the gap between shrinking government support and growing community need.
In ending, we congratulate Henry Torani, our Emergency Food Coordinator who recently graduated from a 6-month intense training program through City Harvest equipping him with an increased set of skills which he will use to propel Bread and Life into the future. Congratulations Henry!
To paraphrase Maya Angelou: people may forget what you said, but never how you made them feel. Let’s make our neighbors feel seen, valued, and loved. Together, we are Bread and Life. Together, we are hope in action.
With Gratitude,
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Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM
Executive Director
| | Fill The Truck Food Drive | | |
September is Hunger Action Month, and St. John’s Bread & Life is intensifying our efforts to combat food insecurity in New York City, where one in four children now face hunger. This crisis disproportionately impacts minority communities, who experience food insecurity at three times the rate of their neighboring counterparts.
To make a greater impact, a generous, anonymous donor has pledged to match the first $2,500 in donations. This means your gift will go twice as far in providing nutritious meals and essential support to those in need.
Join us in the fight against hunger. Click here to learn more and help us Fill The Truck, stock the shelves, and feed our neighbors. Your donation, no matter the size, makes a difference and will be matched.
Please check out our video below, and let's make September a Hunger Action Month of meaningful change and compassion.
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Since joining Bread & Life in 2005, Bryan Lapoterie has been at the heart of our work. In his role as Food Pantry Manager, he oversees operations with precision and care, ensuring timely orders, well-stocked shelves, and zero waste.
What truly sets Bryan apart is the way he connects with our guests. He remembers names, stories, and families, building relationships that make our pantry not just a place for food, but a place of dignity and welcome.
Bryan’s leadership, knowledge, and compassion have made him an invaluable part of our mission and a trusted presence in the community.
Thank you, Bryan, for your outstanding service and for the warmth you bring to Bread & Life every day!
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New Service at St. John's Bread & Life!
OUR MEDIA ROOM HAS REOPENED!
| | We invite you to explore the Media Room — a space designed to open doors to technology that may otherwise feel out of reach. Whether it's limited access or lack of confidence with digital tools, we're here to help. Our goal is not only to provide the equipment you need but also to guide, train, and support you every step of the way. | | |
We are deeply grateful to Our Lady of Peace Church in Lynbrook, New York, and Sister Barbara Faber, RSM, Director of Parish Social Ministry, for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to our mission. Sr. Barbara and her social ministry volunteers have organized countless donations of grocery store gift cards, baby supplies, hygiene products, and school supplies which directly ease the burden on families in need and ensure that children head back to school with the essentials they deserve.
Sr. Barbara and the Our Lady of Peace Parish embody true compassion in action. Their tireless efforts and heartfelt support remind us that together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those facing hardship. We cannot thank them enough for being such dedicated and inspiring partners in our work to serve our neighbors with dignity and care.
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On Monday August 11th, we were proud to welcome our friends from United Way of New York City as they introduced the Connect2Food program to our guests.
Through this initiative, participants gain access to healthy food credits, engaging nutrition workshops, and valuable tools to support healthier choices for themselves and their families.
We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which strengthens our mission and expands food access in meaningful ways. Together, we are building a healthier, more nourished community.
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You're Invited!
2nd Annual Mixer for Meals
by St. John's Bread & Life
Join Sr. Caroline Tweedy for an inspiring evening as we honor
Mike Staub of TEI Group and Andrea Barragan of AB Energy Partners for their extraordinary personal and professional contributions to our community.
This year’s Mixer for Meals promises an unforgettable night of storytelling, meaningful industry networking, and a shared celebration of
St. John’s Bread & Life’s powerful impact on thousands of New Yorkers.
Date: October 23rd, 2025
Location: Pando Park - 450 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016
Attire: Business Casual
Guests will enjoy a premium open bar,
delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres, and special parting gifts.
Every ticket and sponsorship directly
supports the guests of St. John’s Bread & Life in Brooklyn.
| | Citifield | Mets vs. Braves Rain or Shine, Always a Good Time! | | Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and even a game delay couldn’t dampen our spirits at Citi Field for the Mets vs. Braves game. No matter the weather, when you’re with Bread & Life, you’re always in the best company! | | SJBL Pool Party Summer Fun in Syosset! | | From Uno and domino games to burgers, hot dogs, floaties, dancing, and plenty of laughter, our summer pool party in Syosset, Long Island was a day to remember! Guests, staff, and a few of the Sisters of Mercy came together to share good food, great conversations, and joyful moments—another beautiful reminder of the Bread & Life family spirit!
A heartfelt thank-you to the Sisters of Mercy for welcoming us into their beautifully renovated pool and cabana to celebrate our staff day! | | | | |
