November 2025 Newsletter

As we navigate our busiest season of the year at Neighbors Together, we’re feeling both the weight of rising need, and the strength of the community that surrounds us. From our annual Thanksgiving meal, growing volunteer support, and powerful moments of connection, this time has shown us what’s possible when neighbors come together. We’re grateful to share these updates with you, and even more grateful to have you alongside us as we continue the work of fighting hunger and poverty in Brooklyn.

Happy Thanksgiving From Neighbors Together

Today is our annual Thanksgiving meal! We can’t wait to celebrate and serve meals to our community here in central Brooklyn. Our Community Café team has been preparing for over a week, and we anticipate hundreds of our low-income neighbors coming to our door for a warm holiday meal.

Check out what we’re serving for today’s Thanksgiving meal below:

Federal SNAP Funding Resumes 

Federal SNAP funding has resumed, and we are also feeling the impact of hunger and poverty more than ever before at Neighbors Together. Thousands of our neighbors rely on our Community Café for daily meals, and this increase isn’t new. Each year, we are serving more meals than the year before.

Hunger is rising, and the emergency food system has been stretched incredibly thin for a long time.

Our team is also preparing for further SNAP disruptions as new federal work requirements take effect in 2026. Our team is working closely with members now to explain the changes, help them complete necessary steps, and ensure they maintain access to their benefits next year.

No matter what challenges arise, one thing is certain: we will continue to show up for our community every single day.

Our Volunteers in Action

We are so lucky to have the most dedicated volunteers who help us serve hundreds of meals every single day at Neighbors Together.

This month, we were especially grateful for an amazing team of volunteers from Ernst & Young, who joined us for an afternoon of service. Together, they helped serve 524 hot meals and distributed hundreds of pantry bags to our neighbors.

Thank you Ernst & Young for bringing your energy, teamwork, and compassion to Neighbors Together. You made a powerful difference during an especially demanding time.

Helping More Families in Our Community

This month, we were thrilled to join forces with University Settlement to help distribute meals and pantry items to families who need it most right now. Our Community Café team prepared meals and pantry items that were delivered directly into the hands of families facing urgent food insecurity.

Partnerships like this mean so much to our team. They reflect our commitment to frontline, work and help us reach even more neighbors in some of the lowest-income areas of New York City.

Gathering Together with Our Supporters

This month, we were fortunate to gather in community with some of our biggest supporters and their guests at a beautiful happy hour hosted at Gage & Tollner in downtown Brooklyn.

It was an evening filled with connection, purpose, and shared commitment. Being in a room full of people dedicated to collective action reminded us just how strong our community truly is, and how much we can achieve when we come together.

Double Your Impact For Meals

As GivingTuesday approaches next week, we are excited to share that all donations made in support of our Holidays Without Hunger campaign from now through GivingTuesday will be matched up to $35,000!

The holiday season is our busiest season at Neighbors Together, and our Holidays Without Hunger campaign directly supports the meals we’re serving in our Café.

Thousands of neighbors already turn to us during this time of year, and now more than ever, we are asking for your support of our on-the-ground work here in Brooklyn.

Thank You Standing With Us

As we navigate this season, we’re reminded of the importance of community, nourishment, and care. Thank you for being part of Neighbors Together, whether by joining us for a meal, volunteering, or sharing our work. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!

With Deep Gratitude,

The Neighbors Together Team