| | |
FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT
since 1982
| | |
Dear Friends,
June is a month of milestones—marking the end of the school year, the close of our fiscal year, and a time to honor the men who shape our lives as fathers, mentors, friends, and guides.
For me, my father was my hero, kind, compassionate, and quietly strong. He lived with integrity, kept his word, and showed unwavering loyalty to those he loved. His example continues to guide me. I’m equally grateful for the mentors, friends and companions who step into our lives, offering wisdom and encouragement. Fatherhood takes many forms, and this month, I honor all those who help us grow into our best selves.
As we close another fiscal year, we reflect on both challenge and resilience. New government requirements for benefits like SNAP, fear in our communities, and ongoing global unrest have made this a difficult time for many. Yet, every day at Bread and Life, we witness the strength of the human spirit. People come to us searching for hope and together, we work to help them find it.
This year alone, we welcomed more than 480,000 visits, mostly for food but more than 4,000 individuals and families who sought benefits or medical assistance or legal guidance. Behind these numbers are human stories like one guest who told us, “No matter when I come, you are always kind, even on hard days I always leave with something. Sometimes its food, other times its toiletries and a lot of times its knowing someone cares.” That kindness reflects the extraordinary dedication of our staff and volunteers.
In moments of uncertainty, I’m reminded of the power of community, of people who show up for one another and ensure no one is left behind. As we celebrate June and all it represents, I leave you with the words of Mark Twain: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
May we continue to lead with kindness, especially in the moments when it’s needed most.
Gratefully,
| | |
Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM
Executive Director
| | ......................................................................................................................................... | | |
At St. John’s Bread & Life, we believe no one should face hunger or hardship alone. Each year, we provide millions of meals and critical support services to thousands of New Yorkers through programs including our Digital Choice Food Pantry, Mobile Market, Grab & Go meals, Mobile Soup Kitchen, and comprehensive social service assistance. Rooted in dignity, compassion, and efficiency, our mission is to nourish bodies, restore hope, and strengthen communities across Brooklyn and Queens.
We invite you to join us on Thursday, October 8th, 2026 for our 3rd Annual Mixer For Meals — an inspiring evening of networking, hospitality, and purpose. Bringing together friends, supporters, and leaders from across the business community, this special event directly supports our hunger relief and community programs. Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, and contribution made helps provide nutritious meals, fresh food, and essential services to New Yorkers facing food insecurity and financial hardship.
| | ......................................................................................................................................... | | |
Strengthening Our Collective Impact Through THE ROUNDTABLE
| | |
St. John’s Bread & Life was proud to join fellow leaders from across New York’s emergency food sector for a recent Roundtable gathering hosted with members of the community. This inspiring conversation brought together organizations committed to addressing food insecurity, sharing best practices, exchanging ideas, and exploring ways to strengthen our collective efforts.
By coming together, we continue to build partnerships and collaborate toward a shared goal: ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to nutritious food, compassionate support, and the resources they need to thrive.
| | | | |
Students Making a Difference:
Newbridge Road Elementary School Gives Back!
| | |
We are incredibly grateful to the students, families, teachers, and leadership of Newbridge Road Elementary School for making their 2nd Annual Cereal Box Drive a tremendous success!
Led by three inspiring student leaders, the school community came together to collect 175 boxes of cereal to support our neighbors at St. John’s Bread & Life. This generous donation will help provide breakfast support for 2,000 children in need, bringing nourishment, care, and hope to families throughout our community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the students for their compassion and leadership, the principal and teachers for fostering a spirit of service, and the parents and families who helped bring this meaningful initiative to life.
The generosity and dedication shown by Newbridge Road Elementary School are a beautiful reminder that when communities come together, even the smallest acts of kindness can create a lasting impact.
Thank you for helping us continue to feed hope, one act of kindness at a time!
| | |
Elm Place OPD Outpatient Mental Health Services Resource Fair
with New York State Office of Mental Health
| | |
St. John’s Bread & Life was proud to participate in a Resource Fair hosted by Elm Place OPD Outpatient Mental Health Services in Brooklyn on June 9th, 2026.
The event provided a wonderful opportunity to share information about our programs and services while connecting with community members and organizations committed to improving the well-being of our neighbors.
We are grateful to Elm Place OPD for including us in this impactful event. By working together and building strong community partnerships, we can help ensure that individuals and families have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.
| | |
For nearly four years, Jorfred Montes has been a dedicated member of the St. John’s Bread & Life team, bringing his strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to serving our guests every day. As part of our beloved “Produce Trio,” Jorfred plays an essential role as a Produce Associate while also supporting registration, assisting with guest translation, and lending a helping hand wherever needed—including our Mobile Market program.
A graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Jorfred brings compassion, reliability, and a team-first spirit to everything he does. Known for his willingness to step in and help, he approaches each task with care and always does so with a smile.
Outside of Bread & Life, Jorfred enjoys spending time with his family, building Lego creations, gaming, and cheering on his favorite teams—the New York Mets and New York Knicks.
We are grateful for Jorfred’s dedication, kindness, and the positive energy he brings to our team each day. Thank you, Jorfred, for all that you do!
| | Celebrating Young Volunteers: Camp Robin Hood Gives Back | | | | |
We are grateful to the incredible young volunteers from Camp Robin Hood for spending a day of service with us at St. John’s Bread & Life! 💙
Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and dedication helped support our mission of providing food, resources, and hope to neighbors in need throughout our community. Whether assisting with daily operations or lending a helping hand wherever needed, these young volunteers brought compassion, energy, and a true spirit of service to everything they did.
We are thankful for their commitment to making a difference and for choosing to dedicate part of their summer to giving back. Thank you, Camp Robin Hood, for being a valued part of our Bread & Life community and helping us continue to feed hope!
| | A message from one of the volunteers: "Dear St. John's, Thank you for letting us come to your organization. It was so much fun and I learned so much! I loved being a part of the kitchen and working in the Kiosk-delivery section, I also really enjoyed unpacking and organizing the items for babies like the wipes and diapers." | | We extend our heartfelt thanks to the students and staff of Berkeley Carroll School for dedicating their WHOLE WEEK to volunteering at St. John’s Bread & Life! We are grateful for their partnership and for helping us continue to feed hope in our community. | | Hendersonville First Baptist Church, NC | | |
Throughout the month of June, gifts were made in
honor or in memory of the following individuals:
| | |
Dennis Makowski
Barbara McGarvey
Michael Porto
Grandma Ruth
Jim and Tom Swords
Mary P. Tobin
T.N. Williams
| | |
Did you know many companies will match charitable donations made by their employees — often dollar for dollar?
St. John’s Bread & Life now makes the process easier than ever through our online giving forms. Simply enter your employer’s name when making a gift to instantly see if your company offers a matching gift program and access the necessary forms and instructions.
| | |
A matched gift can provide twice the meals, panrty staples, and support for families facing hunger and hardship across NYC — all at no additional cost to you.
Every $1.19 helps provide a meal to a neighbor in need. When your gift is matched, your impact doubles!
| | |
Click below to view our latest promo video:
Hope in Action: The Quiet Work of Kindness
| | | | |
