Brooklyn Food Aid Volunteers Celebrated by Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens marked Volunteer Appreciation Month by honoring food pantry volunteers during a luncheon in Brooklyn.

More than 50 volunteers gathered at the Church of Sts. Simon and Jude Parish on April 17, where they shared a meal and reflected on their role in supporting neighbors facing food insecurity. The event, organized by the Office of Mission’s Volunteer Services, highlighted the work of volunteers who keep pantry operations running across Brooklyn.

The organization relies on a network of more than 400 volunteers who help distribute over 5 million meals each year through its food pantry programs and affiliates, many of them serving Brooklyn communities.

“We extend our deepest thanks to our network of more than 400 volunteers, whose dedication helps provide over 5 million meals each year through our food pantry programs and affiliates,” said Debbie Hampson, senior director of community and mobile outreach services at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.

Several volunteers were recognized for their long-term service and impact. Carol Tolano of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Brooklyn was honored for her continued commitment to pantry operations and the community. Attendees also observed a moment of silence for Lourdes LaPolla, a pantry volunteer who died earlier this year.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens operates and supports 60 community- and parish-based emergency food pantries, including multiple sites across Brooklyn. These locations provide a range of food items, from canned goods and grains to fresh meat and vegetables.

In the past year, the organization distributed nearly 5 million meals to more than 277,000 individuals. Volunteers remain central to those efforts, particularly in Brooklyn, where demand for food assistance continues to affect many households.

The April gathering served as both recognition and a reminder of the ongoing need for volunteer support across the borough.