Mommy & Daddy's Little Angels Youth And Family Services Inc. Annual Thanksgiving Community Event

Project Title:
Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner: A Celebration of Dignity, Nutrition, and Togetherness

Submitted by:
Mommy & Daddy’s Little Angels Youth and Family Services Inc.555 McClean Avenue, 4BStaten Island, NY 10305(212) 380-6989 | www.mdlayafsinc.comEIN: 80-0340449

Donation Goal: $50,000

Project Overview:

Mommy & Daddy's Little Angels Youth and Family Services Inc. is proud to present our Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner, a high-impact, equity-centered initiative designed to ensure that vulnerable families across New York City experience the joy, nourishment, and connection of a holiday meal. This project aims to provide a dignified, sit-down Thanksgiving dinner for up to 580 community members in an inclusive, celebratory atmosphere.

The dinner will feature fully catered traditional Thanksgiving dishes, beverages, desserts, and take-home plates. Guests will enjoy a beautifully decorated venue, keynote speakers on nutrition and healthy living, and a special etiquette education session for children and youth. Families will be welcomed with care, without shame, and with the dignity they deserve.

Statement of Need:

Food insecurity continues to impact thousands of families across NYC, especially during the holiday season. Many caregivers are unable to afford holiday meals or create the festive environments that support memory-making and emotional wellbeing. For children living in poverty or crisis, the absence of a holiday celebration further exacerbates feelings of exclusion, instability, and lack.

This initiative addresses not only the nutritional needs of underserved families, but also their social and emotional well-being by offering a holiday experience rooted in joy, community, and shared values.

Program Goals and Objectives:

Serve 580 individuals and families a catered Thanksgiving meal in a beautifully decorated, dignified setting

Provide youth and families with a 30-minute etiquette session to promote confidence and intergenerational learning

Distribute take-home meals to ensure families have food beyond the event

Promote health and nutrition education through guest speakers and resource tables

Foster a sense of belonging and dignity by removing barriers to participation such as cost, shame, or stigma

Program Features:

Full-course, professionally catered Thanksgiving dinner

Youth table manners workshop with a certified etiquette coach

Take-home meals for families facing food insecurity

Community speakers on health, nutrition, and mental well-being

Vendor and resource tables offering local support services

Holiday-themed decorations, music, and a warm, welcoming environment

Target Population:

This event serves:

Low-income families and caregivers

Single-parent households

NYCHA and HASA community residents

Foster care youth and kinship care families

Families living in shelters or facing food insecurity

Any individual or family who registers and expresses need

Outcomes and Impact:

580+ community members nourished with high-quality, warm meals

At least 200 children and youth equipped with etiquette and social skills training

100% of attendees surveyed report increased sense of inclusion and dignity

Strengthened relationships between local families, nonprofits, and community leaders

Expanded awareness of nutritional health, food access, and wellness resources

Funding Request and Budget Use:

Total Request: $50,000

Funds will be used for:

Catering for 580 guests (main dishes, drinks, desserts, take-home meals)

Venue setup: seating, tables, decorations, and rentals

Speaker and vendor honorariums

Etiquette instructor fees and printed materials

Staff coordination and volunteer stipends

Outreach, transportation, and event logistics

Sustainability and Community Engagement:

This event will create long-term partnerships with local restaurants, small businesses, nutritionists, and volunteers, all of whom are invited to engage beyond the holiday. Our guests are encouraged to stay connected through our year-round programming and support services.

The Thanksgiving Dinner will serve as a launch point for increased community cohesion, peer support, and wellness-driven engagement. Our team will document the event and share impact stories through our website and social media platforms, spotlighting our partners' contributions.

Conclusion:

The Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner is not simply a meal—it is an act of collective care. It represents nourishment for the body, enrichment for the spirit, and a powerful opportunity to ensure no family feels forgotten during the holidays.

With your support, we can bring warmth, dignity, and connection to hundreds of community members this season. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us turn generosity into lifelong memories.

We welcome your partnership and support.