Last Friday, November 20, 2020, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens distributed over 700 Thanksgiving turkeys to families and individuals in need in Queens during the Annual Turkey Giveaway this Thanksgiving holiday. We also distributed 800 gift cards to allow families to shop for additional Thanksgiving necessities. Thank you to our generous donors and supporters, including Al & Maria Catanese, E-J Electric Installation Co., ACE Endico, Steamfitters and New York City District Council of Carpenters.
Since the pandemic began, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has witnessed a 1000% increase in food requests and has provided much-needed food packages and services at the 20 Catholic Charities parish-based food pantries and an additional 27 affiliate pantries located throughout both boroughs. In total, the agency distributed over $400 million in food assistance in 2020. In addition, Catholic Charities witnessed a 37 percent increase in clients in 2020, and continued to deliver mental health counseling, housing services, family services and early childhood education.