FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

since 1982

Dear Friends,

As Christmas approaches, I’m reminded of the wonder and anticipation that once filled my childhood—those moments of dreaming and hoping. While that excitement changes as we grow older, the true meaning of this season remains: the gift of Jesus and the joy He brings into our lives.

At Bread and Life, we see that joy reflected in every act of kindness—hot meals shared, basic necessities provided, gifts for children—all offered by generous hearts who may never meet those they help. These gestures are more than charity; they are expressions of love and hope, reminders of the blessings we share.

This year brought both challenges and blessings. In November, the SNAP crisis led to a significant increase in families seeking assistance. We registered 53% more families than last year and, in the seven days leading up to Thanksgiving, distributed 110,140 meals—a 30% increase over 2024. Despite reduced government support, we never turned anyone away. Your generosity made that possible.

December brought moments of celebration and hope. We joined with the St. John’s University community to dedicate Vincent’s Pantry, a digital choice food pantry on the campus of St. John’s University, modeled after Bread and Life’s. This partnership ensures that no student faces hunger and that dignity and care remain central to campus life. Its impact is profound strengthening bonds of compassion and affirming that service is a cornerstone of education and faith.

We also gathered for Rock Nation, a night honoring Fr. Richie Rock, our 2026 Dr. Pam Shea Byrnes honoree, during the DePaul vs. St. John’s basketball game. Fr. Richie is a true gift to St. John’s University, to Bread and Life, and to all whose lives he touches. His unwavering commitment to justice, mercy, and community embodies the very spirit of Christmas and inspires us to continue the work of healing and hope.

To each of you who supported us this holiday season through the Sponsor a Family program, please accept my heartfelt thank you. Your generosity has touched lives in ways words can scarcely capture.

As we look toward a new year, let us remember the importance of walking with those who are lost, healing those who are broken, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and bringing peace to all—while finding peace in our own hearts. May 2026 bring peace to the world and to each of us.

With deep gratitude and blessings for the year ahead,

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM

Executive Director

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!

As the year comes to a close, St. John’s Bread & Life is seeing an extraordinary response to our Sponsor-A-Family Holiday Program—and the need remains urgent. Each sponsored family receives a dignified holiday grocery package and a gift card to provide a present for their children, bringing relief, nourishment, and hope at a time when it’s needed most.

Your generosity directly helps neighbors facing food insecurity celebrate the holidays with warmth and dignity. With just days left in the year, there’s still time to make a meaningful difference and ensure more families are supported before December 31.

Sponsor a family today and be the reason a neighbor has a brighter holiday.

BREAD & LIFE IN THE NEWS

Bread & Life + St. John’s University:

Expanding Our Mission Through Vincent’s Table

Vincent's Table Brings Dignity and Support to Students Facing Food Insecurity

- St. John's University | 12/08/25

Food insecurity among US college students is a rising problem. About 3.8 million college students experienced food insecurity in 2020 and it has only grown steadily worse...

Read Full Article Here

St. John's University Opens 'Vincent's Table' On-Campus Food Pantry for Students in Need.

| By Jessica Easthope | Currents News - Air date December 16

For Hai Ho, being a college student can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. On Tuesdays he has class from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with very few breaks, and learning on an empty stomach isn’t easy....

HONORING FR. RICHARD ROCK

ROCK NATION

A shared commitment to service at St. John’s University

We extend our heartfelt thanks to St. John’s University Athletics for welcoming St. John’s Bread & Life to Carnesecca Arena during the recent SJU vs. Depaul Basketball game on Tuesday, December 16th.

It was a privilege to join the St. John’s community in honoring the enduring legacy of Fr. Richard Rock, whose lifelong dedication to service has had a profound impact on student-athletes and the broader community. We are especially grateful to everyone who supported our mission by stopping by our table and making a donation to receive the commemorative Fr. Richard Rock “Rock Nation” T-shirt.

This meaningful show of support reflects the Vincentian values of compassion, service, and community that unite us and help strengthen our shared commitment to serving neighbors in need.

For more than four years, Francisco Cardozo-Campos has been a dedicated and dependable member of the St. John’s Bread & Life team. Alongside his teammate Jermont, Francisco plays a vital role in driving our Mobile Market routes across Brooklyn and Queens, ensuring partner sites receive the fresh food and pantry staples they need to serve their communities with dignity and care.

His commitment extends beyond the road—Francisco recently completed a 10-week course in Supply Chain Management, strengthening the efficiency and impact of our operations. We are grateful for Francisco’s hard work, reliability, and quiet leadership, which help make our mission possible every day.