VNS Health welcomed community members to its Brooklyn Chinatown Community Center on Dec. 9 for its annual Holiday Chicken Giveaway, handing out more than 200 rotisserie chickens to local residents, with a focus on older adults facing food insecurity. Even in the cold, neighbors arrived early and in good spirits to take home a festive meal.
Local officials joined to support the effort, including NYS Assemblymember Lester Chang, Senior Advisor Kenneth Chiu and Councilmember Susan Zhuang’s Community Liaison Xiaqiong (Joyce) Xie. Council Member Zhuang also presented a citation recognizing the center’s service to the community.
“This event brings the warmth and spirit of the holiday season to those we serve—many of whom are older adults who may feel isolated or face challenges preparing meals,” said Teresa Lin, VNS Health VP of Cultural Market Development.
Teresa Lin, VNS Health’s vice president of Cultural Market Development, said the event offers comfort and connection during a season that can feel isolating for many older adults. The giveaway is a long-standing tradition across VNS Health’s Community Centers in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, which serve many Chinese American members. Chicken holds cultural significance in many Asian households, symbolizing unity and celebration.
The pre-cooked meals help ensure that those with mobility or cooking challenges can still enjoy a holiday gathering.
VNS Health maintains a strong presence in Chinatown, Sunset Park and Flushing through its community centers, offering health and wellness programs, social services and year-round events.
The nonprofit, one of the nation’s largest providers of home- and community-based care, has been serving New Yorkers for more than 130 years with a broad range of services and health plans designed to support people where they feel most at home.
