FEEDING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT

since 1982

Dear Friends,

As we welcome the month of March, we also begin the sacred season of Lent—a time for fasting, self-reflection, and almsgiving. Lent calls us to turn our focus outward, to take meaningful action on behalf of others, and to cultivate a spirit of compassion and generosity.

Last month, I shared my personal Lenten commitments: to listen more, speak less, and practice greater patience and kindness. Ultimately, my goal is to foster an attitude of gratitude—giving thanks to God for the many blessings I have received. I invite you to use this season as an opportunity for reflection and growth, making small yet impactful changes in your own life.

This year, we are excited to partner with Food Bazaar in support of our Lenten Campaign. Food Bazaar has designed special reusable shopping bags featuring both the Food Bazaar and Bread and Life logos, set against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge—symbolizing our shared commitment to serving our community. If you live in Brooklyn or Queens, we encourage you to visit Food Bazaar between March 3 and April 21 to purchase a bag. 100% of the proceeds will directly support our emergency food programs.

Additionally, our Lenten Appeal invites you to “share a meal with a guest.” Your generosity—whether through a donation or other forms of support—enables us to continue providing hot meals to those in need.

March is also Women’s History Month, a time to honor the remarkable women who have shaped our world. At Bread and Life, we remember Sr. Bernadette, a Daughter of Charity, whose vision led to the founding of our organization over 40 years ago. Her courage, determination, and leadership set a powerful example, inspiring us to serve with unwavering dedication.

Recently, I came across two classic advertisements that deeply resonated with me. The first was the iconic “Got Milk?” campaign. At Bread and Life, we not only provide milk—we offer eggs, fresh produce, and other essentials that so many of our guests rely on daily. With government funding currently on hold, our work has never been more critical.

The second was State Farm’s well-known slogan: “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” This reminded me of the importance of standing with those in need—of being a voice for the voiceless, a source of comfort for the fearful, and an advocate for the marginalized. At a time when government support for food programs is uncertain, we are witnessing more and more individuals falling deeper into poverty. We urge you to join us in advocating for our community—reach out to local officials and encourage them to reconsider funding cuts that are leaving too many without the resources they need to survive.

This Lent, let us come together in the spirit of justice, hospitality, and compassion—working toward a world where all people can live with dignity and peace.

With Gratitude,

Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM

Executive Director

This Women's History Month, We Celebrate

Emelinda Nuñez-Afiz

and her Dedication to Our Mission

We are proud to shine a spotlight on Emelinda (Emmy) Nuñez-Afiz, our dedicated HR Director, whose leadership and compassion have shaped the experiences of countless employees at St. John’s Bread & Life.

From guiding new team members through their first days to supporting long-time staff in their professional growth, Emmy ensures that Bread & Life remains not only a place of service but also a place of support and opportunity. Her commitment to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered is a true reflection of our mission to uplift and nourish our community—both inside and outside our doors.

Thank you, Emmy, for the heart and dedication you bring to our team every day!

Protect Emergency

Food Programs

Take Action Now!

As we enter 2025 under new leadership, we face the harsh reality of proposed budget cuts that threaten essential food assistance programs. These cuts impact all of us, particularly the most vulnerable members of our communities. While we had hoped emergency food providers like Bread and Life would be spared, the reality is far worse than anticipated.

Emergency food providers are on the front lines of the fight against food insecurity, serving millions of Americans. In New York City alone, more than 1.5 million residents struggle to access food, forced to make impossible choices between rent, utilities, and meals. This is a crisis that demands immediate action.

Act Now: Demand Funding for These Critical Programs

• HPNAP (Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program): Provides essential funding to emergency food providers across New York State, ensuring low-income individuals and families have access to nutritious food.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): A federal program offering food-purchasing assistance through EBT, helping families afford groceries while boosting local economies. Every SNAP dollar spent generates $1.50 in economic activity.
• CFC (Community Food Connection Program): A city-funded initiative that supports emergency food providers. Proposed cuts would reduce its budget by 58%, leaving thousands without access to healthy food.
• LFPA Agreement (Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program): Allocates federal grants to food banks and pantries for purchasing locally sourced food, supporting both farmers and food-insecure communities.

Why This Matters – And How You Can Help

Cutting these programs will push more families into crisis and overwhelm already strained food banks and pantries. Bread and Life and similar organizations are lifelines for those in need, and without adequate funding, millions will suffer.

We must act now. Contact your local representatives and demand their support for these critical programs. Your voice can make a difference.

Find out who represents you and take action today: https://www.mygovnyc.org

Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Thank you for standing with us.

BREAD & LIFE IN THE NEWS

Currents News TV recently highlighted our Together We're Feeding Hope campaign and our incredible partnership with FOOD BAZAAR Supermarket! Thanks to this collaboration, we’re reaching more families with fresh, nutritious food and bringing hope to our community during Lent.

Watch the full story below!

WPIX 11 recently featured Sr. Caroline Tweedy, RSM, highlighting her unwavering dedication to feeding our community through Bread & Life. Continuing a family legacy of service, Sr. Caroline works every day to ensure that our neighbors have access to nutritious food and essential resources.

Watch the full segment below to see her inspiring work in action!

Lent is a season of reflection, sacrifice, and renewal—a time to embrace gratitude and extend kindness. As we journey through these 40 days, let’s come together to provide 40,000 meals for our neighbors facing hunger. Your generosity can be a beacon of hope. A single gift, no matter the size, brings warmth, nourishment, and dignity to those struggling to feed their families.

In preparation for Lent, let’s focus on the good in our lives. Let’s be patient,

gentle, and generous. Let’s cherish what we have and share with those in need.

Make your Lenten sacrifice one that fills empty plates and hungry hearts.

Give hope today. Change a life.

From now to April 17th,

here’s another meaningful way

to give back during Lent!

We're partnering with Food Bazaar Supermarket—stop by your local store to pick up a Bread & Life Limited-Edition Tote for just $5.

Every tote purchased helps provide food for a family in need, with 100% of proceeds supporting St. John’s Bread & Life’s mission to fight food insecurity.

Together, we can

make a difference!

This year’s report highlights the incredible strides we’ve made together—serving more meals, expanding our reach, and deepening our impact. Dive into the full report and see how your support is making a difference!

Click the image to explore the flip-book online. ➜

For volunteering, contact:

Renelle Merstil at rmerstil@breadandlife.org