It’s been eight months since New York State shut down in an effort to help stop the spread of Covid-19. With unemployment continuing to soar, so is food insecurity as a result. However, it’s been an issue across the Country and in New York for a long time now.
Nearly 1.2 million New Yorkers were food insecure before the pandemic, according to a report by Food Bank NYC. Additionally, since the pandemic began, there have been food shortages across the city – forcing the closure of 36% of the emergency food providers in Brooklyn alone.
While there are grassroots organizations such as Bushwick Ayuda Mutua, who have worked tirelessly to help address the issue of food insecurity in the area-there is still great need for donations. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Bushwick’s food pantries are doing their best to serve a meal to anyone who walks by this Thanksgiving holiday.
Metro World Child, a global nonprofit with headquarters in Brooklyn plans to distribute two thousand meals on Thanksgiving Day in Bushwick, double what they’ve done in the past.
In observance of the holiday, they’ll be shutting down the corner of Himrod Street and Bushwick Avenue to set up tents in order to provide hot meals to the public. There will be music, and special guest appearances by the children’s program mascots, Buddy and Bella. Additionally, Metro World Child hopes to give out turkeys this year as well, but like most pantries, they are not sure if enough will be donated.
Bethany Food Pantry on Suydam Street was forced to close at the start of the pandemic due to food shortages but reopened at the end of August. This season, Bethany House pantry will be open the day before Thanksgiving and they too hope to give out turkeys that week if enough are donated.
For those in need or those who would like to donate or volunteer, the following pantries will be open the week of as well as Thanksgiving Day.
Metro World Child: serving meals Thanksgiving Day at 11 a.m. at 871 Bushwick Ave. pantry at 871 Bushwick Ave. Open Thanksgiving Day at 9 am, with volunteers beginning to distribute food at 11 a.m. They’re currently accepting donations I hopes to have enough turkey’s to give away.
Bethany Food Pantry: open Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 11 a.m. at 164 Suydam St. In serious need of turkey’s to be donated to give away.
Haitian Evangelical Clergy: open Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. at 1139 Bushwick Ave. Unfortunately, due to shortages, they likely won’t have turkeys to give away.
Family Services Network of NY, Inc.: open Monday, Nov. 23, and Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. at 1420 Bushwick Ave. They’re hoping to have at least 100 turkeys to give away.
Make the Road New York: 201 Grove St., open Friday the week before and the day after Thanksgiving by appointment starting at 9 a.m. At this time, the organization only has limited turkeys to give away at random or through a raffle.
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