News 12 gets inside look at program that provides free food to Brooklyn seniors

There are thousands of goods in the warehouse waiting to go home with the seniors.

Shniece Archer

May 22, 2024, 2:54 AM

Updated 26 days ago

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News 12 gets inside look at program that provides free food to Brooklyn seniors
Hundreds of NYC seniors are getting access to free food through NYC Health + Hospitals Kings County.
"I do most of the distribution out of the warehouse. I go to at least four boroughs to distribute the food," said Donovan Thompson, motor vehicle operator.
There are thousands of goods in the warehouse waiting to go home with the seniors.
"It help me a lot to support my family, myself, and I feel very proud to be here and get foo," said Iberto, who is a participant in the program.
It's called the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. It serves seniors 60 and older but its more than just a program.
"You may see them as somebody quite healthy and all of that but they really rely on it," said Thompson.
CSFP started catering to people 60 and older back in 2014 to give healthy food options to low-income seniors. Once a month they line up, bring their shopping bags or carts and fill up with goods.
"I have my age and I don't be allowed to work too much and I need to eat, and this helps me to get very good food," said Iberto.
The facility serves seniors in the borough and across the city. It serves around 10,000 people a month.
"We actually go to senior housing, senior centers, adult day care centers, churches and provide food for the seniors who are there," says Lillian Taylor, administrator of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Some of the employees tell News 12 the best part is not only helping the community.
"I come in, I ask them how their day was and once I see the smile, that's when I know that I've achieved what I wanted to do throughout the day," said community assistant Sheldon Richmond.
Many of the seniors say that having this program in their community gives them access to a healthy life.


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