- Press Release -

(Queens, NY) — The 1906 Project, Inc., and Sheltering Arms recently distributed dozens of free Thanksgiving meals to the needy in Southeast Queens as part of a local initiative to reduce the number of food insecure families in the borough, event sponsors announced.

The Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway provided full-course holiday meals to individuals and families expected to feed between 300-500 people, officials said. The meal baskets were distributed on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the Sheltering Arms Family Resource Center at 107-14 Liberty Avenue in Ozone Park, officials said.

The Thanksgiving Baskets Giveaway is a part of efforts across the nation by individual organizations to combat hunger.

Statistics from the New York City Coalition Against Hunger show an estimated 1.4 million New Yorkers living in households lacking sufficient food.

Jean Duchatellier, president of the 1906 Project, Inc., a Southeast Queens-based not-for-profit organization, said that local and national hunger statistics show some people are struggling to put food on the table.

“We need to do all we can to reduce the number of families living in food insecure households,” Duchatellier said. “Sheltering Arms has been a consistent partner and longtime advocate when it comes to providing community services and delivering resources to those in need.”

Since 1831, Sheltering Arms has worked to ensure that vulnerable children and families receive the care they need to remain free of violence, abuse and a cycle of generational poverty.

Elizabeth McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of Sheltering Arms, said that the partnership with The 1906 Project, Inc., continues to deliver results for the Southeast Queens Community.

“We are committed to helping children, families and our city’s most vulnerable populations recover from loss, abuse, neglect, and poverty. McCarthy said. “By partnering with the 1906 Project to provide food and other critical supports, we can free our children and families to focus on what is most important: healing and strengthening family bonds so they can reach their greatest potential. Together we can build stronger futures and put an end to hunger, abuse and neglect in our Queens community."

In Queens, an estimated 13.3 percent, or 300,190 local residents were food insecure; or did not have access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members, according to recent data from Feeding Families, an advocacy organization that works to end hunger and feed America through a nationwide network of member food banks.

Ray Gamble, a 1906 Project, Inc., Board Member, said that while recent data shows Queens has the least amount of food insecure individuals in New York City, “we must continue to work together to eliminate hunger and all forms of neglect.

“One individual or family going without food is too many,” Gamble said. “No effort is too small when it comes to helping those in need. We are again honored to work again with Sheltering Arms. They have proven to be a great champion for the Southeast Queens community.”
Contact: Jean Duchatellier, The 1906 Project, Inc. | (917) 309-8283
Mohan Sivaloganathan, Sheltering Arms | (212) 886-5604

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The 1906 Project, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization working to build stronger neighborhoods in Southeast Queens by partnering with individuals and institutions to advance quality local service initiatives that help develop tomorrow’s leaders.

Sheltering Arms strengthens the education, well-being, and development of 24,000 vulnerable children and families across New York City each year so that everyone has the support and opportunity needed to maximize their potential. Through innovation and partnerships, Sheltering Arms has enabled low-income children and families to take steps toward brighter futures, free from the cycle of generational poverty, since 1831.

Tags: Thanksgiving, Feeding Families, Holiday Meal Baskets, The 1906 Project