St. John's Bread & Life | October E-Newsletter

FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

since 1982

Dear Friends,

As autumn arrives and we look toward the holidays, I am especially grateful for the generosity and compassion of our Bread & Life community.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of speaking at St. John’s University about poverty in America and our responsibility to respond. Reflecting on the wisdom of Elie Wiesel, I shared that when we become indifferent to the suffering of others, we risk losing sight of our shared humanity. We are called instead to see those who are struggling and allow compassion to move us to action.

We see that compassion every day. That same spirit was evident at our 3rd Annual Mixer4Meals. Thanks to our honorees, Frank Fellone Jr., Frank Fellone III, and Sr. Marie Sorenson, along with our supporters and committee members, we raised enough to provide 125,000 meals for our neighbors facing hunger.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Bread & Life is preparing to provide more than 7,000 holiday meals, made possible through the generosity of the Amazing Mets Foundation and its Warm Bellies program. Because of partners and friends like you, thousands of our neighbors will gather around a table with dignity and hope.

Our Sponsor A Family Holiday Program is also underway. While registration has reached capacity, there is still time to help bring Christmas joy to children, families, and older adults. Your generosity reminds our neighbors that they are seen, valued, and not alone.

Thank you for standing with us and believing in our mission. May gratitude open our hearts, compassion move us to action, and love remind us of our responsibility to one another. “When we give from a grateful heart, we turn thanksgiving into hope for someone else.”

With gratitude,

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM

Executive Director

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Thank You for Making Our

3rd Annual Mixer for Meals

a Night to Remember!

(October, 8, 2026)

What an incredible evening of connection, generosity, and community impact! 💙

Led by Michael Nehlsen of Hillmann Consulting and Sr. Caroline Tweedy, Executive Director of St. John’s Bread & Life, our 3rd Annual Mixer for Meals brought together an inspiring community of supporters united by a shared commitment to fighting hunger and strengthening our communities.

We were honored to recognize three remarkable individuals whose contributions make a meaningful difference:

Frank Fellone Jr. of Flag Waterproofing & Restoration

🏆 Industry & Community Impact Award

Frank Fellone III of Flag Waterproofing & Restoration

🏆 Beacon of Hope Award

Sr. Marie Sorenson, SC, Associate Director of St. John's Bread & Life

🏆 Angelo Grima Heart of Excellence Award

To our generous donors, sponsors, ticket holders, committee members and everyone who supported this year's event — thank you! Your generosity extends far beyond one memorable evening. Every ticket, sponsorship, and contribution helps fuel our mission, providing nutritious meals, fresh food, and essential support services to New Yorkers facing hunger and hardship.

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“The joy of giving is the greatest gift of all.”

This holiday season, you have the opportunity to bring joy, comfort, and hope to a family in need.

Through St. John's Bread & Life's 30th Annual Sponsor A Family Holiday Program, your generosity will help provide a complete holiday meal for a family, and a special gift for each child, ensuring that our neighbors can experience the warmth and happiness of the season and receive nourishment and support during the holidays and throughout the year.

For 30 years, compassionate supporters like you have helped make the holidays brighter for countless New York Families. As we celebrate this special milestone, we invite you to continue that wonderful tradition of giving.

Thank you for sharing your kindness and helping make this season one of joy and hope for all!

With Gratitude,

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM

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SJU Biennial Poverty Conference

Faith in Action: Addressing Poverty with Compassion and Dignity

On October 17, Sr. Caroline Tweedy, Executive Director of St. John's Bread & Life, joined fellow Catholic leaders and presenters at the St. John’s University Biennial Poverty Conference, invited by Fr. Patrick Griffin, CM, a longtime friend and supporter of St. John’s Bread & Life.

The conference explored the Catholic response to poverty in America, bringing together leaders from the Archdioceses of New York and Brooklyn to share their perspectives.

In her presentation, Sr. Caroline emphasized that poverty is not an abstract issue, but a human reality that calls for compassion, solidarity, and action. She highlighted how Bread & Life puts faith into practice by addressing not only hunger, but the broader challenges families face, always placing human dignity at the heart of its mission. Her message was a powerful reminder that we must move beyond indifference and work together to ensure no neighbor is forgotten or faces hunger alone.

Click To Read Presentation

A Heartfelt Thank You to

St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church!

A special thank you to John Quaglione and St. Anselm Roman Catholic Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, for their generous donation of canned and dry goods in support of St. John’s Bread & Life’s Fill The Truck Campaign!

Your generosity helps us provide essential food to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity—not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. Every donation makes a difference in helping us nourish our community and ensure more families have access to the food they need.

Thank you for standing with us in the fight against hunger and for helping us keep our truck full and our community fed!

A Partnership in Service:

St. Francis Prep Foundations Day

On Friday, October 23, St. John’s Bread & Life was honored to partner with St. Francis Preparatory School for its annual Foundations Day, a celebration of service, community, and compassion.

Bread & Life provided food kits for students to assemble 2,000 breakfast bags, helping nourish our community members. We had the opportunity to share our story, from our humble beginnings to the growth of our Digital Choice Food Pantry, and express our heartfelt gratitude for the meaningful impact the students’ service has on our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

We were equally inspired by the seniors who shared their ministry experiences serving communities in need abroad, including in the Dominican Republic and Belize. Their stories were a wonderful reminder that compassion knows no borders.

A special thank-you to Shawn Sempowich, Campus Minister, for organizing this meaningful day and working so closely with our team to make it a success for St. Francis Prep, its students, and St. John’s Bread & Life. We are grateful for this wonderful partnership and for the students’ generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to making a difference!

(St.Francis Prep Freshmen bagging breakfast kits for St. John's Bread & Life)

Connecting Families with Community Resources at the

BROOKLYN CHARTER

SCHOOL FAIR & Kids Activity Expo

St. John’s Bread & Life was pleased to participate in the recent Brooklyn Charter School Fair, an opportunity to connect with local families and share valuable resources available throughout our community.

Representing Bread & Life, our dedicated social service team member, Carmen Hernandez-Winston, was on hand to speak with families, answer questions, and provide information about our programs and services for neighbors experiencing food insecurity and other challenges.

The fair brought together local charter schools, afterschool programs, health and wellness services, and family support organizations, while offering fun activities and giveaways for children. We are grateful for opportunities like these that allow us to reach more families, strengthen community connections, and ensure our neighbors know where to turn for support. Thank you, Carmen, for helping bring Bread & Life's mission beyond our doors!

Sister Elizabeth Bickar, SC, a Sister of Charity of Halifax, has been a cherished part of the St. John’s Bread & Life family for many years! Once the welcoming face guests saw when arriving for social service appointments or picking up their mail, Sister Elizabeth has always been gracious, compassionate, and committed to ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and care.

When the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted her volunteer service, Sister Elizabeth promised she would return as soon as she could—and she stayed true to her word! Today, she continues to lend a helping hand wherever she is needed, from assisting our Development Department to stepping in to support other areas of our work.

We are deeply grateful for Sister Elizabeth’s dedication, kindness, and willingness to serve wherever she can make a difference. Thank you, Sister Elizabeth, for being such a wonderful part of our mission and for helping us care for our neighbors with dignity and compassion!