November 06, 2008
Queens, N.Y. -
St. John's Bread and Life will hold its 11th annual Johnny’s
Angel Awards dinner Wednesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. at St.
John's University’s Marillac Terrace. Retired Judge Joseph
Bellacosa of the New York State Court of Appeals, his wife Mary
Bellacosa, and Helen T. Lowe, Executive Director of Development at
Archdiocese of New York, will be honored.
Johnny’s Angels dinner raised over $200,000 last year for
emergency food and the needs of the working poor. “It’s different,”
says Executive Director Anthony Butler. “This dinner, unlike the
big galas, celebrates the hard work and commitment of all of those
who bring food, hope and a sense of possibility to our Brooklyn
neighbors. It’s like having 200 of your closest friends and family
over for supper.”
We are especially proud of the distinguished individuals we
honor this year because they are the embodiment of the worthy
commitment. Each of them has multiple years of service to the New
York community. “They make a significant and long-term contribution
to our work,” said Mary Tobin, dinner chairperson.
St. John’s University’s Bread and Life Program is among the
largest providers of emergency food and support services in New
York City. A new, larger facility for Bread and Life opened in June
and is located at 795 Lexington Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant
section of Brooklyn. The new location provides a larger area for
support services, including serving approximately 1,000 meals each
week. Additionally, it offers clinical services which include
assisting individuals in obtaining benefits, housing, mental health
issues, medical services and legal assistance. 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.
The organization’s goal is to combat poverty and help people
achieve self-sufficiency. It is also dedicated to educating the
public and increasing awareness of hunger, poverty and
homelessness. The program also operates a mobile soup kitchen,
which travels to different neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens to
serve those in need.
For more information visit www.breadandlife.org. For
media inquiries, please contact the Director of Media Relations
Dominic Scianna at 718-990-6185 or visit http://www.stjohns.edu/news.