2022 Year In Review

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2022 In Review | Neighbors Helping Neighbors

This year, more neighbors visited the food pantry than ever. When we opened in 2020, we served 50 people. Last Saturday, we served more than 450 families fresh, nutrient-dense produce and low-sodium pantry items. We also deliver to about 60 homebound seniors through our Heights and Hills partnership.

In February 2022, as inflation drove food costs up, we noticed more South American families. We began stocking a small volume of coats and warm weather gear, particularly for children. Because our storage is limited, we partnered with our friends at Roots Cafe to ensure that coats were delivered to our local shelter and we are working with Shahana Hanif's office and other concerned neighbors to find creative solutions to ensure families can access basic supplies to fill their immediate needs.

Our biggest growth was in families with children and they have been utilizing our publicly accessible diaper bin. We have a constant need for diapers, especially In sizes 4 and larger. The bin Is unlocked and can be restocked 24/7.

Youth programming will be held at Camp Friendship and will include families that regularly visit the pantry. Middle and high school students will get to create and build their art portfolios. Baseball will start In spring for kids older than 14.

  • For Women, By Women Period is an incredible organization led by recent college graduates who ensure that period products are readily available.

  • Fifth Avenue Committee, our storied, local housing advocacy group has been offering English language classes to our families. Every Saturday, Pedro leads a conversational class. Students needing more support are funneled to their programs In Sunset Park. Funding by Shahana Hanif made this class possible.

  • The Brooklyn Diaper Project, born of a community grant, continues to help us provide diapers.

Recent Events

Our Back to School Backpack giveaway was a huge success! Through fundraising and Donations, we were able to collect more than 500 backpacks, which were distributed to local children. Our friends at Roots Cafe and Trinity Grace Church decorated for the giveaway and helped us secure donations.

This year, the cost of turkeys had skyrocketed! So we fundraised to buy 400 chicken that weighed about 9 pounds. A miraculous last minute turkey donation from Councilmember Shahana Hanif and another from a local management company made It possible for us to Distribute over 500 fowl! Everyone who came to our Door received what they needed to celebrate the holidays.

Our toy drive was a massive operation! We partnered with 25 organizations and stores to collect toys. We had more volunteer hands than ever to wrangle, sort, and set up the day's event. In the end, toys went home with more than 600 children!