As Thanksgiving approached this year, dozens of elected officials and charitable organizations distributed thousands of free turkeys to hungry New Yorkers and their families throughout the city.
Holiday festivities thrive on food an togetherness, but across the nation, food insecurity is a huge problem. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) surveys from 2023, 13.5% of U.S. households (18 million) were food-insecure at some time during the year because of a lack of resources and the sting of inflation.
New York City electeds confirmed that many of those who are food-insecure have been struggling for some time to put food on the table and could use help with preparing for Thanksgiving meals.
“We are grateful to all of the supporters who contributed their time to help the community enjoy this holiday,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. “Distributing turkeys, cooking Thanksgiving meals, delivering food, and other gestures are all acts of kindness, and giving back doesn’t just happen during Thanksgiving; it is what our community is all about.”
Bichotte Hermelyn’s first turkey drive, on Nov. 16 at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Flatbush, distributed more than 900 turkeys to Brooklynites. She and other electeds hosted another turkey drive on Monday, Nov. 20, at the Plaza Auto Mall in Brooklyn, giving away more than 650 turkeys.
“We join together for the fourth year to host a turkey distribution with Plaza Auto Mall, our community partner — always looking out for the community,” said Councilmember Farah Louis. “This is an opportunity, not just to give out turkeys, but to show gratitude to the community, as well as creating a space of peace, love, and fellowship. I am grateful to be serving the community and thank Plaza Auto Mall for looking out for Council District 45 and our constituents.”
This past Saturday, Nov. 23, the New York Apartment Association (NYAA) partnered with the Inwood Community Food Pantry for its annual turkey giveaway event. They distributed 500 turkeys to families in need from throughout the neighborhood.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson helped hand out foodstuffs at HOT 97 turkey drive (Photo credit: Bronx BP Gibson’s office) 
Volunteers, NYPD Officers (70th Precinct Community Affairs), members of Haitian American Law Enforcement Fraternity Organization (HALEFO) (center) Council Member Farah N. Louis (Council District 45), Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and her Chief of Staff Tyesha Allen 
Volunteers and staff from Assembly member Bichotte Hermelyn’s Office James Christopher, communications director, and Sherline Herold, director of constituent services & support (Photo credit: AM Bichotte Hermelyn’s Office) 
Table full of free turkeys at Inwood Community Food pantry on Nov. 23 
Inwood resident showing off a free turkey at the pantry
“Food insecurity throughout Upper Manhattan and our city is prevalent, and we have to do everything we can to make sure we are literally putting food on the table for families that need it the most,” said City Councilmember Shaun Abreu, who attended the event. “Being here today with the New York Apartment Association to give these free turkeys to these families is going to make all the difference and put a smile on their faces, and for that we are very grateful.”
Ismael Trinidad, the Inwood food pantry’s director, added that the pantry has generally seen an increase in people because of cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit payouts made in 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the federal government released extra funds for SNAP holders under the emergency allotment (EA) program, which ended last February.
“When the food stamps run out, many families need this food pantry to survive,” said Trinidad. “This is why we are thankful for all our sponsors and volunteers. And we always need more volunteers.”
Even though food insecurity is a big issue to tackle during the holiday season, plenty of events found a way to lighten the mood with fun, music, and — of course — cartloads of free food.
This past weekend, Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman partnered with NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and other groups for their annual “Happy Thanksgiving Event of Harvesting Health and Harmony” at P.S. 135 in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The turkey giveaway featured a live guest star performance from Grammy award-winning artist Busta Rhymes and rapper Special Ed.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joined HOT 97’s Annual Turkey Drive on Nov. 20, which was broadcasted live on “Ebro in the Morning” from the Tracey Towers in Jerome Park.
“The season of Thanksgiving, folks!” said Gibson, with music blaring in the background. “We know we have to do our part to support our borough, support our children, and support our families.”