10 NOVEMBER 25, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Amazin’ Mets Foundation holds annual
Thanksgiving turkey drive in Rich Hill
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
Days before Thanksgiving, the
Amazin’ Mets Foundation
distributed 5,000 turkeys to
New Yorkers in need at fi ve pantries
across all fi ve 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 fi nding 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 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, as they are
considered luxury items for people
who can’t aff ord 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
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
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
aft er 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 diff erence 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.”
Talia picked up a turkey with her
two children, 8-year-old Alan and
her 2-month-old infant.
It meant a lot to her that the
Amazin’ Mets Foundation was
handing out turkeys that came in an
Amazin’ Mets Foundation tote bag,
since they didn’t have a turkey last
year.
“We’re going to have turkey this
year,” Talia said. “So, we’re going to
share with family. It’s very exciting.”
Her son Alan had never been to a
Mets game and was so thrilled about
the ticket vouchers that he asked,
“Are we going today?”
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