In time for the holidays, Brooklyn organizations and elected officials are hosting turkey giveaways across the borough to help brighten celebrations for food-insecure New Yorkers.
On Nov. 18, CHiPS held one of several turkey giveaways at the Gowanus NYCHA Houses as part of its mobile food pantry, distributing 80 frozen turkeys and 25 chickens along with staples such as fresh produce, canned goods and dried goods.
Edith Santos, a Gowanus resident for 24 years and a CHiPS regular, told Brooklyn Paper she arrived at 7 a.m. for the 10:30 a.m. Thanksgiving drive.
“We are all excited because we have been waiting for that turkey,” Santos said, expressing gratitude for CHiPS.
“I am very thankful and very blessed that CHiPS comes every Tuesday, because this community needs it. Just because we live in downtown Brooklyn doesn’t mean that we don’t have needs,” she said. “You know, we got our ups and downs like everybody else, but it’s a blessing, and we are very thankful for it. We look forward to it.”
William Reid, president of the Gowanus Houses Tenant Association, said services like CHiPS — which he said “went the extra mile” — are vital for residents, particularly as food insecurity rises. According to City Harvest, 50% of working-age households in New York City struggle to make ends meet, and soup kitchens and food pantries are seeing record-high demand.
“We make sure [residents] have a hearty meal for Thanksgiving,” Reid said. “It’s so hard for everybody, and it’s harder for others.”
CHiPS will host a halal chicken distribution at Kensington Plaza on Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Council Member Crystal Hudson, who represents Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, will host her fourth annual Turkey Giveaway on Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf, 260 Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights.
In addition to turkeys, attendees will receive fresh produce and the fixings for a complete Thanksgiving meal. They can also sign up for SNAP, Medicaid, Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemptions (SCRIE), Disability Rent Increase Exemptions (DRIE), and Fair Fares NYC, which offers eligible low-income New Yorkers 50% off public transit, including subways, buses and Access-A-Ride trips.
Hudson told Brooklyn Paper the event, rooted in caring for neighbors, is meaningful to her and her team. Since its inception, her office has distributed more than 5,000 turkeys and thousands of pounds of produce and sides.
“This year, the event feels especially urgent as families across the country are feeling the squeeze of rising costs and fewer resources due to cuts from the Trump administration and the recent Republican-led government shutdown,” said Hudson, who is running for Council Speaker. “And while times are tough, I remain deeply grateful for the ways our community continues to show up for one another.”
KingsCares, a Flatbush-based community initiative that partners with local nonprofits and businesses to provide free and low-cost programs, will hold its annual Kings Cares Thanksgiving Luncheon and winter supply distribution on Nov. 25.
The free holiday meal will be served in the Kings Theatre lobby at 1027 Flatbush Ave. It will be prepared by students from the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Erasmus High School, who will cook a full Thanksgiving spread including turkey, stuffing, potatoes, hot soup and more.
The luncheon is presented in partnership with Kings Theatre, the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Erasmus, and the Church-Flatbush Community Alliance (formerly the Church Avenue BID and Flatbush Avenue BID), with additional support from Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Council Member Rita Joseph.
Kings Theatre is also collecting gently used adult and children’s coats, as well as new hats, scarves, gloves, socks and blankets. Items can be dropped off at the box office or in the lobby on show nights. Donations may also be purchased through an Amazon Wishlist. The supplies will be distributed during the luncheon.
North Brooklyn Angels is hosting “Neighbors Giving Thanks,” a multi-day event powered by more than 100 volunteers serving neighbors in Bushwick, Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The effort includes turkey distributions on Nov. 21 in East Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick; restaurant-style pre-Thanksgiving lunches on Nov. 25 in Bushwick and Nov. 26 in East Williamsburg; and two Thanksgiving Day sit-down meals, one in Williamsburg and one in Greenpoint.
Because the meals are pre-ticketed with limited capacity, those interested are encouraged to email thanksgiving@northbrooklynangels.org for availability.
