The spirit of Thanksgiving was felt across the city as people came together to celebrate the holiday with food and camaraderie. Throughout the week there was also a sense of giving back as many people across the city are volunteering their time to help others.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thousands of people lined up from the Upper West Side to Midtown to watch the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Floats, marching bands, celebrities and Santa Clause made their way through Manhattan. The Alcorn State University “Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite” marching band participated in this year’s parade. Giant balloons this year included Snoopy, Bluey, Buzz Lightyear, Mario, Minnie Mouse and Gabby & Pandy Paws. Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Kool and the Gang, Shaggy, Teyana Taylor and Darlene Love were among this year’s performers.
Al Sharpton’s National Action Network hosts Thanksgiving dinner
The National Action Network (NAN) hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner for the community at the House of Justice in Harlem. The event was free and open to the public. Earlier this week NAN distributed free turkeys to families.
Black Lives Matter foundation hosts Thanksgiving community giveaways in Harlem and Queens
On Friday, Nov. 21, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF), in partnership with Community Leader Lakeisha Hunter, hosted a free community event providing food, supplies, and support to families at the Urban Empowerment Center ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. BLMGNF also partnered with with TUFF Active, Southern Queens Park Association (SQPA), and Modern Day Man will host a free community event providing food, supplies, and support to families in Queens The Urban Empowerment Center community giveback, led in part by the BLM foundation’s new Board Chair, Cicley Gay, was one of multiple giveaways happening across the country, focusing on nourishing communities, reinforcing dignity, and empowering neighborhood leaders to provide locally informed care.
School families gather for Friendsgiving celebration in Queens
On Friday, Nov. 21, St Gregory the Great Catholic Academy in Bellerose, Queens, hosts the annual Friendsgiving celebration—a vibrant tradition that goes beyond Thanksgiving by bringing together students, families, alumni, and the broader community for a truly meaningful gathering. Across the country, Catholic School communities are renowned for their strong school family bonds, creating environments where students feel safe, supported, and connected.
Lehman College hosts Sixth Annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway
Lehman College hosted its Sixth Annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway on Thursday, Nov. 20. At this year’s event, Lehman Stands with Students, was made possible through partnerships with Montefiore Einstein, Chef’s Warehouse, and others who are helping provide 300 students with packages of food, including turkeys, chickens, fresh produce and non-perishable items. The Food Giveaway is a project of the Lehman College Basic Needs Center, a wraparound of programs that aim to meet students’ basic needs outside the classroom to help them thrive academically. Those services include the Herbert H. Lehman Food Bank, Career Closet, emergency grants for housing and utilities, MetroCards, and more.
City Harvest kicks off annual Repack to Give Back providing free food to millions of New Yorkers
City Harvest kicked off its annual Repack to Give Back program earlier this month. The food rescue organization, along with hundreds of volunteers from companies across the city, packed thousands of bags of seasonal produce and holiday staples. City Harvest is delivering the bags for free to food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs throughout the holiday season. According to City Harvest, 50% of all working-age households in New York City are struggling to afford the basic cost of living, and food pantry visits are the highest on record, up 88% on average each month compared to 2019. According to a City Harvest analysis of data from FeedNYC, the need for food assistance across the five boroughs is the highest on record.
Elementary children create own Thanksgiving parade
The students at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy in Queens created their own floats to celebrate Thanksgiving. The gym at Our Lady of the Snows turned into Herald Square on Tuesday, Nov. 25 when students used wheeled wagons, gym scooters or their own kid-power to parade their floats for fellow students, teachers and parents. Each grade chose a theme for their floats, including Sesame Street, storybook characters, Disney, games, turkeys, basketball, cartoons and more and students will dress up in the theme of their floats as well.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka distributes Thanksgiving meals to 6,000 local residents
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and HelloFresh distributed 2,000 turkeys, plus 6,000 boxes of fresh food to Newark residents at Weequahic High School. The free, public event — open via drive-through and walk-up — provided families with a full Thanksgiving meal, including a whole turkey, russet and sweet potatoes, fresh cranberries, apples, and carrots, along with step-by-step directions to prepare a complete holiday dinner.
UFT hosts Thanksgiving feast and coat drive for students in temporary housing
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) held its annual Thanksgiving Holiday Feast and Coat Drive for students on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the UFT headquarters. Hundreds of public school students from city shelters across the five boroughs attended. In addition to a Thanksgiving meal, students also be able to participated in a variety of arts and crafts. High-school students from city career programs were on-site to do hair, nails, makeup, and face painting for the students. Each student left with a new coat and winter gear. The Department of Education selected the shelters and arranged for chaperons and transportation.
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