BP Adams Hosts Socially Distanced “Plantsgiving” Distribution

Press release from the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President:

November 20 2020

Photo Credit: Erica Krodman/Brooklyn BP’s Office

Brooklyn, NY – Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams held his fourth annual “Plantsgiving” distribution at Brooklyn Borough Hall. The distribution, which is sponsored by Wegmans, MetroPlus Health, UA3, Ponce Bank, National Grid, Kate Farms, and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, is providing 50,000 pounds of fresh produce to residents, as well as 112 local food pantries and faith-based organizations. The event comes as food insecurity is expected to rise 38 percent citywide in 2020 over pre-COVID-19 levels.

At the event, Borough President Adams urged Brooklynites and New Yorkers to follow public health guidelines as Thanksgiving approaches, to protect themselves and their loved ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday issued a recommendation advising Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving this year, and urging those that do to take extra precautions.

“This year’s holiday season is unlike any that most of us have experienced in our lifetimes, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many Brooklynites and New Yorkers are also facing a growing crisis of food insecurity. We are proud to host this distribution to ensure those in need get fresh food for the holiday, while emphasizing the importance of healthy choices. I wish all New Yorkers a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving season, and urge all to follow the guidance of public health officials,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

“We are proud to partner with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams in providing donations of food to our friends and neighbors to make sure we all have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. With too many Brooklynites facing economic hardship and food insecurity this year, it is more important than ever to look out for each other and to come together as a community. I wish residents across Brooklyn a peaceful and joyous Thanksgiving,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

“Underlying conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, and high cholesterol affect many of us. The effect of COVID-19 or future viruses on those with ‘underlying conditions’ are like a wolf preying on a lamb. With a change of diet we can control our ability to survive longer and enjoy healthier lives. A plant-based diet can get you off the medications. Choose to live a healthier lifestyle. Go green and eat smart,” said UA3 President Donald Hong.

“National Grid is committed to helping those that live and work in the communities that we serve. As the local energy provider, we are part of the Brooklyn community and joining the Borough President during these difficult times to ensure that every family enjoys a warm Thanksgiving meal,” said National Grid Manager of Community and Customer Engagement Renee V. McClure.

“For many of us, giving thanks will look a little different this year, and the need to support and lift up our communities is more important than ever,” says JP Morgan Chase Brooklyn Market Leader Ed O’Donnell. “We’re proud to partner with the Brooklyn Borough Hall team and all of the community partners who are working to ensure all of our neighbors will have a healthy holiday meal.”

“Target has had the pleasure of supporting this event for the last 8 years. This year the celebration may look a little different, but the excitement of bringing ‘Joy’ to so many families never gets old. In the BP’s first term, one of his many initiatives was to celebrate the hyphen: African-American, Israeli-American, Italian-American, etc. Eric went on to say ‘at the end of the day we are part of the greatest race, the human race.’ These words are just as important today as they were many years ago. Our diversity and cultural differences are what make Brooklyn that special and unique borough we all love. Our Target team is not only so thankful to be able to live and play here, but we are also grateful to do business in this amazing Borough as well. Happy Thanksgiving to all Brooklynites,” said Target Store Director Kelly Garrity.

“We thank Borough President Eric Adams for partnering with Wegmans on the Thanksgiving Food Distribution, which is successfully connecting the dots between food providers who are eager to assist and families in need. We are proud to support the program and the work it’s doing to ensure people have access to nutritious food. The initiative is particularly helpful at this time, as it addresses two problems at once – providing food to the hungry and nutritional support so Brooklynites can live healthier lives,” said Wegmans Brooklyn Store Service Manager Randi Johnson.

“Our Social Impact Caravan is going into neighborhoods hard hit by the Coronavirus, as has been true of large swaths of the borough, to deliver Kate Farms meal replacement shakes and PPE as we prepare for dealing with the pandemic in the winter,” said Kate Farms CEO Brett Matthews. “The science shows that good nutrition is critical to health, and our plant-based meals make it easier for at-risk Brooklyn residents to build immunity with plant power.”

“At Ponce Bank we’ve had a unique window into our customers’ suffering during the pandemic and we’re here to help in any way we can. We started back in March with loan forbearances and quickly ramped up to process over 1,000 PPP loans in support of our struggling small businesses. We’re proud of the hard work so many of our nonprofits have put in to support our communities and want to thank Eric Adams and the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office especially for their Thanksgiving Food Program which this year is more important than ever. We are honored to be a part of your efforts, Eric and team,” said Ponce Bank President Carlos Naudon.

This press release was produced by the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President. The views expressed are the author's own.