FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

since 1982

Dear Friends,

Last month we celebrated volunteers and in doing so we recognize the importance that they play at Bread and Life. In fact, we couldn’t function without their hands, heads and hearts. They complete the team at Bread and Life and ensure that everyone is served with dignity each day. So often volunteers thank us for having the opportunity to spend time here, but in fact, we thank them. They teach us every day by their enthusiasm what it’s like to serve with joy and that is one of the hallmarks of St. Vincent DePaul, “to serve with joy.”

Teiilhard de Chardin, the noted Jesuit priest, philosopher and teacher said, “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God” and we feel that presence every day in all we do. As we draw close to the end of this fiscal year, we can honestly say that we have served with joy. This year alone more than 4.5 million meals were distributed to our neighbors, we reached new communities and formed new partnerships with other organizations serving the needs of our brothers and sisters. In fact, our partnership with Our Lady of Sorrows in Corona, Queens has been such a blessing. Together we are able to reach many more people, including so many new arrivals. We are grateful to them for what they and so many others do every day. We continue to be enriched by the diversity of our guests and our partners who teach us each day what it means to bring joy to someone else, or as one of our guests said, “to see God in the other.”

Just recently three of our staff, Henry Torani, Franscisco Cardosa and Jermont Shim completed an intense 10 week course in Supply Chain Management from CUNY. Congratulations to them as they continue to use their skills on behalf of our guests.

As summer begins, we eagerly anticipate volunteers from all over the world including the Summer Youth Interns who add another dimension to Bread and Life. These young folks teach us the importance of laughter, friendship and collegiality. They help us to laugh, to smile and to bring joy to others every day. For this we are so grateful.

We remain grateful to each of you as well. Your commitment to Bread and Life is a sign of the presence of God among us. Your faithfulness whether as a volunteer, donor, board member or friend is a reminder of the goodness in the world and together we can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Please continue to contact your local representatives and remind them of the need for increased funding to programs like Bread and Life and so many others that help our neighbors in need.

With a joyful heart and deepest gratitude,

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM

Executive Director

Bread & Life does Outreach at the

BEDFORD STUYVESANT’S 13TH VETERAN’S MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND STAND DOWN

Bedford Stuyvesant 13th Veteran’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27th, served as a heartfelt tribute to our courageous servicemen and women, honoring their sacrifices and bravery.

In the midst of it all, Bread & Life proudly participated, spreading the word about our nourishing food program and invaluable social services. Carmen Hernandez, one of our dedicated caseworkers, hustled tirelessly during the festivities, ensuring that appointments were made for those seeking assistance. It was a true celebration of community spirit and support!

Celebrating Staff Achievements:

Advanced Supply Chain Management Certification

We are thrilled to announce that three of our dedicated staff members—Henry Torani, Francisco Cardosa, & Jermont Shim,

have recently completed an intensive 10-week course in Supply Chain Management from the City University of New York (CUNY). This rigorous program equipped them with advanced skills and knowledge in managing the flow of goods and services, which is crucial for the efficient operation of the Bread & Life food program. Congratulations to Henry, Francisco, and Jermont for their commitment to professional development. We look forward to seeing them apply their new expertise to enhance the support we provide to our guests.

Expanding Our Reach:

Bread & Life’s Milestone Year!

This year, Bread & Life has achieved a remarkable milestone by distributing over 4.5 million meals to our neighbors in need. Our efforts have not only expanded our reach to new communities but also strengthened our network through new partnerships with various organizations dedicated to serving our brothers and sisters. 

Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, J.C.L.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Corona, Queens

One notable partnership that has been a tremendous blessing is with Rev. Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, J.C.L. of Our Lady of Sorrows in Corona, Queens. Through this collaboration, we have been able to extend our support to a significantly larger number of individuals, including many new arrivals to our community. The combined efforts of Bread & Life and Our Lady of Sorrows have allowed us to make a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and families. 

We are deeply grateful to Our Lady of Sorrows and all our partners for their unwavering dedication and daily contributions to our shared mission. Together, we continue to make strides in alleviating hunger and supporting the well-being of our community.

For volunteering, contact:

Renelle Merstil at [email protected]