by Katie Vasquez
It’s turkey time for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, as the non profit makes sure every table in the diocese has a bird this thanksgiving.
“A record high, over 3,700, you know, so I think it will go to more people,” said Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, the President and CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
That number includes turkeys and chickens for more than 30 parishes.
The organization made a change this year, instead of going to the churches, the churches are coming to them at the Msgr. Joseph Pfeiffer resource center in Howard Beach.
Parish officials pick up the birds and they hand them out to their church’s most needy.
CCBQ CEO, Msgr. Alfred LoPinto saying the new system helps ensure more families get to enjoy the holiday staple, and it keeps the spirit of the season alive for the faithful.
“People would be lined up from the day before and it would get a little raucous. and so, it just was not a very respectful way to treat people,” said Msgr. LoPinto.
Deacon Jean Rameau was picking up 90 turkeys for Holy Family-St Laurence church in Canarsie.
The Brooklyn church identified those with the greatest need including the homebound,low-income people and families.
“I think it’s the best way, the way we’re doing it this year. Because in the past, we go to the communities and, you know, distributed the turkeys, but. and then people from the parishes, those are in need, they didn’t get, they never get a chance to get their fair share,” said Deacon Rameau.
Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary church in Jamaica, Queens taking 150 birds for their parish, to help their food pantry and parishioners.
“We have like 400 families in the CCD program. so we try to choose those who are, that have more difficulty,” said Father Victor Bolanos, Pastor of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church.
Clergy saying the free birds are a much-needed help for their flocks.
“Any help that we can provide the communities in in any sense,” said Father Bolanos.
“We’re going to help as many as we can, but the more we have and the more people we could help,” said Deacon Rameau.
And for volunteers like Joe Reilly with Queens Local 45 Carpenters, it’s a chance to spread some holiday cheer, one turkey at a time.
“There’s no greater feeling. I make a good living at what I do. and, you know, I’m not trying to be selfish about it. I’m just trying to pay it forward,” said Reilly.