On the day after Thanksgiving every year, Crossroads Community hosts their annual ‘Fare Share Friday’ event where one thousand volunteers, donors, and soup kitchen regulars have a chance to sit down and share a gourmet meal together.
Based in Midtown Manhattan, Crossroads is a soup kitchen, women’s shelter, and choice pantry that was established to help end hunger and fight homelessness across New York. Every day, the organization provides hot meals and groceries to New Yorkers in need. But our ‘Fare Share Friday’ event is a particularly special part of the Crossroads program. It’s an opportunity to sit down and connect with everyone who supports and is supported by Crossroads face-to-face.
I think I speak for everyone when I say that it’s one event I look forward to the most throughout the year. However, ‘Fare Share Friday’ looked a bit different this past year than in previous years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we had to cancel the sit-down portion of the event, that didn’t stop us from putting together a virtual celebration.
Our volunteers, guests, and donors were able to register for a 30-minute livestream event to hear about our efforts in 2020, meet the new Executive Director, Jesse Ramos, hear stories from volunteers and guests, and look into what Crossroads Community hopes to accomplish in the new year. Food insecure clients were also invited to come to St. Bartholomew’s Church and pick up a holiday dinner for themselves and their families, which consisted of turkey, as well as some other trimmings like stuffing and mashed potatoes. Each guest was also given a gift bag. To learn more about this past year’s ‘Fare Share Friday’ event, you can watch our feature story on WNBC, Channel 4.
‘Fare Share Friday’ is one of Crossroads’ biggest fundraisers of the year. So far, there have been over 230 donors that have given back to the organization, which has helped to raise around $140,000 for New Yorkers in need. While the event may be over, people are still encouraged to give what they can. You can make an online donation here so that Crossroads can continue to provide hot meals and groceries to New York’s hungry and homeless population.
We’ve entered into an unpredictable year with the coronavirus still spreading across the nation. Last year, we were able to maintain our efforts and continued to serve carry-out meals and groceries to those who came to our doors. Operating during a global pandemic is an absolute necessity because it only increases food insecurity within New York’s underserved communities, so any donation guarantees that Crossroads Community will be able to continue providing the same services this year as well.
I’m so honored to be a part of such a remarkable organization. You can learn more about Crossroad Community’s mission online.
