FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

since 1982

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

As we close the chapter on 2024, I find myself reflecting on all we have to be grateful for at Bread & Life and the many blessings that surround us.



We give thanks to our dedicated staff, whose unwavering commitment ensures that everyone who walks through our doors is met with dignity, compassion, and kindness. We give thanks to our incredible volunteers, whose generosity and dedication make our work possible. We give thanks to our devoted board of directors, whose guidance lights the way forward. We give thanks to our donors and friends, who stand beside us in our mission to help individuals and families thrive. And we give thanks to the foundations and corporations whose belief in our work enables us to reach those most in need each day.

In 2024, we faced challenges head-on, finding innovative, efficient, and impactful ways to serve our community. Over the past year:

• 466,257 visits were made to Bread & Life, with 8,968 individuals and families receiving support each week.
• Our case management team secured a record $9 million in cash and non-cash benefits for our guests.
• We expanded our Mobile Market Program, now reaching over 100,000 people annually.
• Our inventory and kiosk systems empowered guests to shop in their own language for culturally appropriate and nutritious foods while allowing us to track expenses with precision.
• We reduced expenses significantly through strategic collaborations, including our partnership with the Round Table.
• Guests participated in cooking demonstrations featuring new ingredients and healthy meal preparation for all ages.

Our 2024 Sponsor a Family program provided 4,800 holiday meals and 1,500 gifts for children, ensuring that the spirit of generosity extends beyond the holiday season. Thanks to our donors, the support continues year-round, providing essential groceries, hot meals, toiletries, and baby supplies to those in need.

As we begin 2025, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving our community. Rooted in the Vincentian tradition, we will continue to walk with those who are lost, heal the broken, and ensure that no one goes hungry.

We are deeply grateful for your support and for partnering with us to build stronger, healthier, and more hopeful communities.

With Gratitude,

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM

Executive Director

With your incredible generosity, we are thrilled to share that our Sponsor A Family campaign surpassed its goal! Together, we were able to bring joy, warmth, and nourishment to countless families who might otherwise have faced the holidays without the essentials—and without hope.

Your support made all the difference. Because of you, families had the opportunity to enjoy festive meals, create lasting memories, and experience the holidays as they should: filled with love, community, and care.

Thank you for being an important part of our mission at St. John’s Bread & Life! Your kindness ensures that we can continue addressing food insecurity and providing vital services to those in need, not just during the holidays but year-round



Be sure to click on the video below to view footage

from the Sponsor-a-Family Distribution Day!

We’re thrilled to share that St. John’s Bread & Life has been highlighted by Robin Hood in the fight against hunger! Robin Hood proudly featured Sr. Caroline Tweedy, Sr. Marie Sorenson, and volunteer Jillian Beety as inspiring "Faces of Poverty Fighters." Click here or on the image above to discover their heartfelt story and the incredible work we’re doing together to make a difference.

Breaking Bread and

Building Community

On January 17th, 2025, Sr. Caroline Tweedy and Sr. Marie Sorenson had the privilege of participating in a Shabbat meal with an inspiring group of community leaders and partners. Hosted by Repair the World, Sisters Caroline and Marie gathered alongside representatives from Opportunity Hub, Spring Creek Towers Farm, and the owners of Tsion Café—an Ethiopian-Jewish restaurant in Harlem.

The evening was a rich blend of tradition, culture, and collaboration. They joined in the Shabbat prayers and enjoyed a delightful Ethiopian meal, sharing stories and engaging in a Q&A with the guests. The conversation focused on the power of food to bring people together, break down barriers, and inspire meaningful action. Together, the group explored ways to address food insecurity and hunger in our communities.

A heartfelt thanks to Repair the World for organizing this memorable evening and for their ongoing support as regular volunteers at St. John's Bread & Life. Moments like these remind us of the strength and unity that come from working together to build a better future for all.

Sr. Caroline Tweedy Honored with

the Father Michael McGivney Medal

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, Executive Director of St. John's Bread & Life, was honored with the prestigious Father Michael McGivney Medal for Life at the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Knights of Columbus Pro Vita Mass on January 19th at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James. The award recognizes Sr. Caroline's lifelong dedication to advocating for the dignity of human life at all stages and her tireless work in supporting vulnerable communities through the mission of St. John's Bread & Life. Her leadership in addressing food insecurity and her unwavering commitment to service were celebrated at this significant event.

We are grateful for the heartfelt tribute gifts made in honor or memory of loved ones. These meaningful contributions not only celebrate their lives but also support our mission to serve those in need.

Recent Tributes:

• Sr. Frances Fahey
• Sister Margaret Mary Fitzpatrick
• Angelo Grima



• Joseph Jelonek
• Kennedy Lawrence
• Patricia McLearnon Castle

For volunteering, contact:

Renelle Merstil at rmerstil@breadandlife.org