Rev. Al Sharpton’s annual Christmas community dinner and toy giveaway in Harlem drew revelers from as far away as New Jersey and Georgia who joined together with New Yorkers to attend the celebration.
Sharpton himself carved the turkey at the National Action Network’s House of Justice on W. 145th St. and Lenox Ave. Also on the menu were macaroni pie, collared greens, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and other delectables.
“I live in the suburbs,” said Tristian Deleon, 21, who lives in Georgia and was there with his great uncle, who he is visiting for the holidays. “There no one really interacts with each other, at least not to this level. So it’s fun to see everyone getting together, even if they don’t really know each other. You don’t really see that where I’m from.”
Organizers said providing good food was especially important this year amid SNAP cuts that disproportionately affect communities of color.
Many attendees have made attending the celebration a family tradition, coming year after year.
Theresa White, 43, brought her 11-year-old son, Legend, and her 9-year-old daughter, Paris, from the Bronx, arriving early. “This is a blessing happening on Christmas Day. Hot food, toys, just happiness and joy,” she said. “It’s just like the feeling of love in here.”
This was her family’s third year attending.
Jalisa Canaby, 30, traveled from New Jersey with her family.
“The kids enjoy it,” she said. “It’s a good tradition for my family. We all come every year. We can’t miss it.”
Multiple attendees praised the food as well as the fellowship.
”Every year I come out,” said Beverly Whaley, 64, of Manhattan. “I have my own family. I enjoy coming out, being with a lot of other people too, because the atmosphere is so nice.”
“I cook home too,” she added. “But I have to taste some other food too and this food is delicious all the time.”
“This is like a tradition between me and my children,” said Sabrina Barden, 48, who traveled from the Bronx with her family. “I really respect what [Sharpton] do for the community, not to mention it saves me money … I don’t have to sit at home and cook. I can come and get a blessed cooked meal from all of these beautiful people in this room.”
How would she rate the food? “Five stars.”
