Alianza’s ‘La Plaza Beacon’ Hosts Annual Thanksgiving Feast in Harlem

| 12/4/2024

By: Patrick Grady

“So many of our families need this. My kids are having a lot of fun. I’m so grateful for this. This event is something amazing for our family,” shared an attendee.

Turkey is added onto a heaping plate at the end of the line at Alianza’s Thanksgiving meal in Harlem.

Bobby Gates, Program Director for Youth Appointment Program in Alianza, waits until the end of the event to get in line and see how the students work the buffet for himself.

Students from Alianza’s Youth Appointment Program prepare the tins for the line of people to come up and eat.

The decorated event space creates an inviting atmosphere as a family participates in a coloring activity for kids in attendance.

A family gets their photo taken in front of the fall background set up for holiday cards.

A fall-themed layout sets a festive mood as trays of turkey are served.

A family poses for the camera as they enjoy the event before the food is served.

Pedro Mejia, Director of La Plaza Beacon School Program, addresses the crowd to show his thanks for the support of the community.

Monsignor Kevin Sullivan (right) serves food to those in the Harlem community.

The crowd applauds after Alianza Director Eddie Silverio’s speech before the food is served.

This passed Thursday on Thanksgiving, Catholic Charities’ Alianza division brought families together with a hot meal and a gathering place for families. It was a beautiful day for traditions, old and new, at 515 West 182nd Street where Alianza holds an after-school program called “La Plaza Beacon.” This program helps majority Spanish-speaking students with academic support, tutoring, and homework help. The hot meal on Thanksgiving is an extension of this program’s promise to help students and anyone in the community in need.

Pedro Mejia, Director of La Plaza Beacon School Program, was in attendance making sure plates were full and good times were had by all.

“The most important thing for us is that it’s something that comes from the heart. The food is just a caveat, but it’s really about the love and attention. Providing folks with a place they can come and integrate into new customs while not taking away from other traditional values.”

The meal combined the American traditions of turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving with a blend of traditional meals from many cultures Alianza serves. The variety of food was clearly a hit, as a line for the buffet remained throughout the duration of the event, and many of the trays required refilling. The buffet was mostly staffed by students both from Alianza’s after school programs and their Youth Appointment Program. The latter program’s director, Bobby Gates, said this is one of the events with the most responses for volunteers.

“We were swarmed with a lot of responses of participants, parents, and students also wanting a hot meal as well. We have a great connection with a lot of our families that get stronger through the programs we host throughout the year, and that connection helps build and grow the Alianza family.”

Catholic Charities also came out to support this division, with Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the Executive Director of Catholic Charities NY, serving food for the long line at the Thanksgiving meal. Speaking with The Good Newsroom, he highlighted the growing importance of events like this as more people immigrate to New York and are in need of help.

“We’re welcoming probably about 300 or 400 people to share a Thanksgiving meal. Many of the people here are newly arrived New Yorkers, and we want them to understand that they are welcome here not only on Thanksgiving, but throughout the year.”