Catholic Charities partners with Goya Foods to distribute free meals to Bronx families on Holy Thursday
NEW YORK -- Catholic Charities partnered with a major food distributor to feed the hungry on Holy Thursday in the Bronx.
The line wrapped around St. Jerome's Community Center, where hundreds waited to receive bags of food and a blessing from Cardinal Dolan, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reported.
Families said they're thankful they get to enjoy an Easter meal.
"Easter meal, have your family that can come over. We've lost so much, so now it's a time to rejoice as much as we can," said Bronx resident Gale Lee.
Catholic Charities joined with Goya, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the U.S., to hand out 350 meals as part of a day laborers program supporting immigrant families. They gave out rice and beans, fresh fruit, chicken, at-home COVID tests and PPE.
"There are a lot of people who are in need of food, who cannot financially provide and then the economy prices have gone up," one person said.
In the spirit of giving, the event marked Holy Thursday, known to Catholics as the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet.
"On Holy Thursday evening, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and said, 'I've given you example,'" said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. "So what Catholic Charities does on Holy Thursday is to make sure that we follow the example of Jesus, and we reach out and we feed people who are hungry."
Holy Thursday is followed by Good Friday, the crucifixion and death of Jesus, leading up to Easter Sunday, the resurrection of new life.
"It almost seems like we've been locked in a Good Friday moment. We've been locked in that darkness and violence and death, right? But that's why we need this, because we know that Good Friday always leads to Easter," Cardinal Dolan said.
Catholic Charities has handed out a record 11 million meal, including 2 million from Goya, since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
It's part of Goya's annual program of giving to those in need locally and around the world.
"We've donated 1.8 million pounds of food. But we've also, in the Ukraine, have donated over 400,000 pounds of food," said Rafael Toro, director of public relations for Goya Foods.
Families told CBS2 the last couple years have been tough, between the pandemic, job losses, food shortages and inflation.
As part of the program, those in need can also sign up for English, writing, computer and citizenship courses.