Brooklyn Volunteers Deliver 5 Million Meals a Year

More than 50 volunteers gathered for a celebration that recognized something extraordinary: their collective efforts fed over a quarter million people in the past year alone.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens hosted a luncheon on April 17 at the Church of Sts. Simon and Jude Parish to honor the volunteers who power their 60 food pantries across Brooklyn. These everyday heroes are part of a 400-person network that keeps fresh vegetables, meat, grains, and canned goods flowing to neighbors who need help putting food on the table.

The numbers tell a powerful story. In just one year, these volunteers helped distribute nearly 5 million meals to more than 277,000 individuals across Brooklyn and Queens. That's roughly 13,700 meals every single day.

"We extend our deepest thanks to our network of more than 400 volunteers, whose dedication helps provide over 5 million meals each year," said Debbie Hampson, senior director of community and mobile outreach services. Her words captured what the luncheon was really about: recognizing people who show up, week after week, to serve their community.

Among those honored was Carol Tolano from the Church of the Holy Spirit in Brooklyn, recognized for her long-term commitment to pantry operations. Volunteers also paused to remember Lourdes LaPolla, a dedicated pantry volunteer who passed away earlier this year, observing a moment of silence in her honor.

The event served a meal and created space for volunteers to connect and reflect on their impact. For many attendees, it was a rare chance to step back from the day-to-day work of sorting donations, stocking shelves, and greeting neighbors.

The Ripple Effect

When 400 people commit to fighting hunger in their community, the impact extends far beyond the pantry doors. Each meal represents a family with one less worry, a parent who can stretch their budget a little further, or a senior citizen who doesn't have to choose between food and medicine.

The volunteers' work also strengthens the fabric of Brooklyn neighborhoods. Food pantries become gathering places where people connect, where isolation breaks down, and where community members look out for one another.

As demand for food assistance continues across Brooklyn, these volunteers prove that ordinary people doing consistent, caring work can create extraordinary change.