FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

since 1982

Dear Friends,

Audrey Hepburn once said every day should hold at least one exquisite moment and we believe that’s true. Life brings challenges, and for many, those challenges can feel overwhelming. Yet at Bread and Life, we witness countless moments of grace: staff guiding an elderly guest as they order atthe pantry the kiosk, volunteers packing hundreds of bags for people they’ll never meet, families smiling with gratitude when they receive diapers or baby supplies, or a person who gets a “yes” to safe housing. These simple acts remind us why we do what we do.

In times of uncertainty and fear, kindness matters more than ever. Our mission is to offer hope, joy, and dignity to each person, one moment at a time. Together, we can create those exquisite moments for one another.

This Thanksgiving, we embrace the Vincentian call to serve with compassion and humility. Let us reflect on our blessings and our responsibility to uplift those most in need. May our hearts remain generous, our actions rooted in justice, and our community strengthened by love and service.

This month we are deeply grateful to the student groups and volunteers who bring joy to others; St. Edmund’s Prep, St. John’s University, and the many adult groups who serve with such dedication. We are grateful to those of you who have supported our Sponsor A Family Program and for your prayers and support.

Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you and your loved one’s peace, joy, and the grace to continue making a difference in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul.

With gratitude,

With Hope, Determination and Gratitude,

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM

Executive Director

This holiday season, thousands of our neighbors will come to St. John’s Bread & Life worried about how they will keep food on the table, choose between gifts and groceries, or give their children even a small moment of holiday joy. Many are working parents, seniors on fixed incomes, and families doing everything right but still falling behind.

Your support of our Sponsor A Family campaign provides a Christmas miracle to those who need it most. And now through Giving Tuesday, your generosity goes even further. Thanks to a wonderful partnership with the A Slice of Hope Foundation and several generous donors, your Giving Tuesday gift will be tripled!

For every dollar you give—up to the next $15,000—an additional $2 will be added, turning your gift into three times the impact and bringing hope to even more families this Christmas.

Please consider making your Giving Tuesday gift now and watch your generosity multiply:

👉 $125 sponsors 1 family — becomes $375

👉 $250 sponsors 2 families — becomes $750

👉 $500 sponsors 4 families — becomes $1,500

👉 Any amount you give will be tripled with gratitude

Bread & Life In The News

Congressional Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman held a press conference in partnership with St. John’s Bread and Life and Food Bank for NYC to highlight their work to support New Yorkers impacted by hunger and the high cost of living.

During the event, St. John’s Bread & Life Executive Director Sr. Caroline Tweedy and Food Bank for NYC President & CEO Leslie Gordon spoke passionately about the growing challenges families are facing and emphasized the urgent need for continued collaboration, additional resources, and advocacy. Their shared message underscored a simple truth: when we work together, we can help ensure every New Yorker has access to the nourishment and support they deserve.

Serving Up Holiday Joy with
City Harvest, the Museum of Ice Cream,

& National Grid

We extend our heartfelt thanks to City Harvest for their generous turkey donation to St. John’s Bread & Life this Thanksgiving. Their support allowed our team to prepare fresh, hot holiday meals for our guests which will be served on Wednesday, November 26th.

We’re also deeply grateful to our friends from the Museum of Ice Cream and National Grid, who rolled up their sleeves and volunteered throughout the day to help us prepare for our much anticipated Thanksgiving celebration. Thanks to compassionate partners like City Harvest—and dedicated volunteers who show up with heart—we are able to nourish our community with dignity and warmth during the holiday season.

Thanksgiving

Food Drive

We are deeply grateful to our friends at BREAK A DIFFERENCE—and to one of their anonymous corporate partners— for generously providing 900 complete Thanksgiving meal boxes, each thoughtfully packed with essentials and a $20 Target gift card to help families add what they need most.

A Night to Remember at

The 27th Annual Cabaret for Charity

CABA VILLAIN

Written by Christopher Alessandro and Michael De Risi

St. John's University Performing Arts

The 27th Annual Cabaret for Charity: CabaVillain at St. John’s University brought students, families, and alumni together for a high-energy night of performances—all to support St. John’s Bread & Life.

This year’s “villain” theme added a fun theatrical twist, but at its heart the Cabaret showcased the generosity and talent of the SJU community. Proceeds from the show help fund Bread & Life’s emergency food and social service programs, providing meals and vital support to neighbors across Brooklyn and Queens.

For many attendees, the event was both an entertaining night out and an introduction to Bread & Life’s mission, highlighting how student-led creativity can make a real impact in the fight against food insecurity.

Thank you to St. John’s University Performing Arts, Alpha Psi Omega, and the Chappel Players for their incredible, continued support!

Timmy is the one of the longest serving members on staff. His compassion and care for those he serves and those he works with knows no boundaries. Timmy is part of the kitchen crew that helps prepare and distribute thousands of meals each week to our hungry neighbors. We are so proud of all he does and grateful to him for his longevitity.