New York City Mission Society
Serves 200+ at
12th Annual Thanksgiving Harvest Community
Dinner
(New York, N.Y.) –
Striving to help its program participants and community
members get a hot meal and save money for the upcoming
holidays, the
New York City Mission Society provided
more than 200 meals at its 12th Annual Thanksgiving Harvest
Community Dinner at Minisink Townhouse on Tuesday, November
17. Mission Society Board
Members Jean Shafiroff
and Jay
Moorhead underwrote
the event.
New York City Mission Society
Board members, Young Professionals Society members, Kohl’s
corporate volunteers, staff, community members, alumni and
volunteers served meals to Mission
Society’s program participants, families, and area
residents.
"Every day, we hear about the hardships that
many of our program participants and their families face.
This annual event presents an opportunity for us not only to
celebrate the season with them, but provide a warm meal that
will help them save money to be able to put more food on the
table come Thanksgiving,” said Mission Society
President Elsie McCabe Thompson. "What made this event even
more special was the participation of our Board, and in
particular Jean Shafiroff and Jay Moorhead, who are
embracing the giving spirit of the season.”
In addition to Ms. Shafiroff and Mr.
Moorhead, Board Members Peggy
Bader,
Laura Flavin, and Francis Kairson, Jr. served meals
alongside Young Professionals Society Co-chairs Cole
Rumbough and Brook Laing, and Natasha
Das, Taylor Burns, and Liz Shafiroff.
Minister Kirsten
John Foy blessed
the meal, at which attendees were served turkey, stuffing,
hearty side dishes, pies and cupcakes, desserts and
beverages. Sponsors this year included Whole Foods and Vita
Coco.
Students participating in the Mission Society’s
G.R.I.O.T. (Global
Rhythms in Our Tribe) program treated attendees to a special
performance. The free program was recently created in
partnership with the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, founded by
Grammy Award-Winning pianist, composer, and educator Arturo
O'Farrill, and provides musical instruction to youth.
This year, the Mission Society
also continued its tradition of distributing turkeys in
advance ofThanksgiving. Donated by St.
Francis Food Pantries & Shelters, the turkeys were handed
out on Wednesday, November 18, to participants in several Mission Society
programs.
“As many of you may know, this year are celebrating 95 years
here in Harlem and 50 years – yes, five decades – here at
the Minisink Townhouse,” Ms. McCabe Thompson said. “During
all of this time – and throughout our more than 200 years of
history – we have affected countless lives.
“Our mission has been and always will be
to contribute to the well-being of our community. We value
kindness, compassion, dignity, respect and excellence. It’s
why – as you look around this room – you will see so many
familiar faces – people for whom this is not a job but a
calling. Tonight is about family and community.”
About New York City Mission Society
The New York City Mission Society has
been on the frontlines of the war on poverty for more than
200 years. Today, our progressive portfolio of educational,
restorative justice, cultural enrichment, and workforce
development programs make a positive, long-term impact on
youth in the City’s most underserved communities by
promoting academic achievement, combating violence, and
providing career opportunities. Each year, we serve more
than 13,000 children and families throughout New York City
with our programs, supportive services, and community
events.
www.nycmissionsociety.org