June 12, 2008
St. John’s University’s Bread & Life Program celebrated the
official opening of its new 22,000 square foot facility, located at
795 Lexington Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn,
on June 11. Rev. Donald
J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University blessed
the new facility, which will serve over 200,000 hot meals and
150,000 food pantry meals to hungry New Yorkers each
year.
Photo
Gallery
“As we look at this wonderful facility and reflect on the
history of Bread and Life, we know that God’s hand is with us, we
know that God’s blessings are with us,” Rev. Harrington, C.M.
remarked before blessing the facility. “Bless those whose
vision and labor have brought this place to be. Bless the donors
for their immense generosity, for it is because of them that this
dream has become a reality. Bestow grace upon the staff who
will lead the work that is done here. Grant them renewed
passion for the work that they do. Help them to see your face in
those that they serve. Bless the poor, who will be fed and
clothed and encouraged everyday by this Vincentian work that is
rooted in the Gospel.”
The new facility is the first to offer a digital choice food
pantry, which will allow guests to choose foods that are
appropriate to themselves and their families. In addition, the
facility features a library with six internet-accessible computer
workstations, a classroom where ESL and civics classes will be
taught, and a demonstration kitchen, where guests will be taught
the basics on food preparation, as well as tips on preparing
healthy meals for themselves and their families.
Sr. Margaret Mary Fitzpatrick, S.C., Ed.D, Chair of the Board of
Directors of St. John’s Bread and Life, and President of St. Thomas
Aquinas College, reaffirmed the commitment that the donors, staff,
volunteers and the University have pledged to the Bread and Life
Program.
“Today we dedicate ourselves, along with this building, to be
brothers and sisters to those who are hungry. We give our
personal commitment to sustain and build up those who are hungry so
that they and their children will welcome those who follow.”
Anthony Butler, Executive Director of St. John’s Bread and Life,
proudly welcomed the attendees and reminded all of the words of St.
Vincent de Paul, saying, “When you give, you have to do it with
dignity, but to receive, you must also have dignity.” Thomas
McInerney, Chair of the Board of Trustees at St. John’s University
and member of the Board of St. John’s Bread and Life, joined Mr.
Butler along with Paula G. McInerney, President, Bluff Point
Associates, Sister Madeline Kavanagh, DC and June Jacobs-Cuffee in
presenting the Dining Room art, a picture of St. Vincent de Paul
hung as a daily reminder of what it means to live
Vincentian.
Members of the Board of Directors of St. John’s Bread and Life
joined the St. John’s University community and the staff,
volunteers and guests of the program in this day of
celebration. New York City Council members the Honorable
Darlene Mealy and Al Vann were also on hand to share in the
excitement and commend the dedication of all involved.
Others helping make this day possible are the members of the Bread
& Life Capital Campaign Committee including: Sr. Margaret Mary
Fitzpatrick, S.C., Ed.D., President, St. Thomas Aquinas College;
Mrs. Mary P. Tobin, Managing Trustee, Peter and Mary Tobin Family
Foundation; Mr.
James P. Pellow, Ed.D., Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, St. John’s University; Mr. David Belt,
President, DBI Construction Consultants; Mr. Thomas Nedell, Vice
President for Business Affairs at St. John’s University; Mrs. Helen
T. Lowe, Executive Director of Development, Archdiocese of New
York; Mrs. Paula McInerney, Bluff Pointe Associates; Mrs. Jane
O’Connell, Consultant; Mr. Charles McQuade, Retired Chairman and
CEO, SIAC and Mr. Robert Wile, Chief of Staff to the President, St.
John’s University.
About St. John’s Bread and
Life
St. John’s Bread and Life is located in Brooklyn’s Bedford
Stuyvesant. The organization was founded in 1982 as a
work of the local parish. It grew to be a freestanding
not-for-profit corporation as part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Brooklyn. In 2006, it returned to its Vincentian roots and
now functions under the auspices of St John's University.
Besides serving more than 1,000 meals daily, Bread and Life also
provides an array of social services, including nutrition
counseling, housing referral services, medical support, education,
support groups and a legal clinic. You can learn more about
St. John's Bread & Life online at www.breadandlife.org