Amazin’ Mets Foundation holds Thanksgiving
turkey drive at River Fund in Richmond Hill
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
Just before Thanksgiving,
the Amazin’ Mets Foundation
distributed 5,000 turkeys
to New Yorkers in need at
five pantries across all five
boroughs on Friday, Nov. 19,
including at The River Fund
New York in Richmond Hill.
While Mrs. Met was at
home taking care of the kids,
Mr. Met, with the help of The
River Fund and Amazin’
Mets members, handed out
the Thanksgiving staple and
canned goods to families who
lined up down the block. In
addition, they also received
Mets ticket vouchers that can
be redeemed for a game during
the 2022 season.
Swami Durga Das, founder
and executive director of The
River Fund, explained that
the foundation had already
received 300 Amazin’ Mets
turkeys on Tuesday.
“And then they’re bringing
enough for today. We’re
serving about 150 to 200 people,
and each household gets
a turkey,” Das said.
He shared how excited he
was when the Amazin’ Mets
wanted to become one of The
River Fund’s partners.
“They are just brilliant on
every level for us,” Das said.
“It’s one of those magical
partners.”
He added that The River
Fund will give out about 4,000
turkeys in total as part of
their regular food pantry program,
which takes place every
Wednesday and Saturday.
Das said that The River
Fund distributes about 2 million
pounds of food every
month to individual households,
seniors, homebound
New Yorkers, churches, shelters
and smaller organizations.
The number of households
The River Fund serves quadrupled
during the COVID-19
pandemic, Das said, and the
number of those in need is
increasing as food prices are
surging.
“People are just finding
that their money doesn’t go
as far, like all of us,” Das said.
“But when you’re in poverty,
your money not going far is
the bigger struggle. It’s like
With the help of Mr. Met, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation handed out turkeys in advance of Thanksgiving at River Fund in Richmond Hill on
Nov. 19, 2021. Photos by Gabriele Holtermann
what little you have goes for
even less.”
In addition to food, the
organization also gives out
clothing like coats, underwear,
socks and kits with
feminine hygiene products,
TIMESLEDGER | Q 2 NS.COM | DEC. 3 - DEC. 9, 2021
as they are considered luxury
items for people who can’t
afford them. There’s a huge
need for feminine hygiene
products as the items are so
costly.
“When you’re in poverty,
it’s about balancing the limited
money you have,” said
Das, who added that ending
hunger isn’t just about food,
but also about education.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation
worked with St. Francis
Food Pantry to purchase the
turkeys for 11 community
groups throughout New York
City.
Julianna Sabra, co-head
of community engagement
and foundation at New York
Mets, explained that they purchased
the turkeys in advance
this summer through the St.
Francis Food Pantry because
of the shortage in turkeys this
year.
“Last year, we did 4,000
turkeys, so this year we did
5,000. We wanted to help as
many people as possible, especially
after the pandemic,”
Sabra said.
She shared that this year
felt extra special because the
event was in person again following
a hiatus last year.
“To make a difference for
them to go home and enjoy
that family meal during this
crazy year that we’ve had, it
just means a lot,” Sabra said.
“And we’re just really grateful
to be in this position to help
others, especially all over the
city, not just Queens.”
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