November 20, 2008
St.
John's Bread and Life Program, Inc., held its 11th annual Johnny’s
Angel Awards Dinner at St. John's University’s Queens campus on
November 12. Retired Judge Joseph Bellacosa '59C, '61L, '87HON 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, were the honored guests for the evening.
Photo Gallery
The Johnny’s Angel Awards are presented to those who have helped
St. John’s Bread and Life fight hunger and provide a wide range of
services to those in need.
“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,” said Tony Butler, Executive
Director of St. John’s Bread and Life. “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,” added Mary Tobin '00HON, Dinner Chairperson.
St. John’s University’s Bread and Life Program, Inc. 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, please contact Dorothy Kellogg at (718)
574-0068 ext. 145 or 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.
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