On Monday, 250 Bronxites received free turkeys and vegetables for their Thanksgiving dinners in an event by the office of City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., who represents the South Bronx. Throughout this holiday season, Salamanca Jr. will distribute a total of 3,000 turkeys to Bronx families.
Helping local households get enough to eat has been a major challenge in recent years, according to nonprofits such as Part of the Solution and The Point Community Development Center, who say they have seen massive increases in the number of people who rely on their services.
“With the rising food insecurity issues our City is facing, it’s become clear that those of us in power must do all that we can to help the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Council Member Salamanca.
“I always look forward to our turkey distributions because it allows me the chance to interact one-on-one with my constituents, but also to highlight the message to wider audiences of the real positive impact that these events have on everyday people’s lives – and hopefully inspire them to partake in the giving season and contribute in their own ways,” he said.
Monday’s turkey and produce giveaway was co-sponsored by District Leader Freddy Perez Jr., BronxWorks and the Hunts Point Produce Market and served as the kickoff for the market’s annual Week of Giving, where merchants donate produce to local communities in each borough.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
