December 2025 Impact Report
Message from the Director of Operations & Communication
As we step into a new year, I am proud to share the remarkable progress MUNA Social Services made throughout 2025. Thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community partners, we were able to provide vital support to tens of thousands of families through our food pantries, Aim High Academy, Community Help Centers, and Senior Connection Center. Throughout the year, our goal remained the same: to serve our communities with dignity, compassion, and efficiency.
Our impact this past year was strengthened by valuable partnerships with elected officials and other community based organizations. Their collaboration helped us reach more households, expand our outreach, and provide resources where they were needed most.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our leadership team, Board of Directors, and the many elected officials who supported our work through funding and community engagement. A special thank you goes to MUNA Center of New York, NYC Community Food Connection, Food Bank for NYC, Met Council, City Harvest, and United Way of NYC for supplying the food and operational resources that powered our programs throughout the year.
As we enter 2026, MUNA Social Services remains committed to strengthening our operations, developing our new warehouse, and expanding programs to meet growing community needs. We are grateful for your trust and support. Together, we look forward to building a stronger, healthier, and more equitable year ahead.
In Solidarity,
Dr. Jahangir Kabir
Director of Operations & Communication
MUNA Social Services
Aim High Academy: Mentorship Meets Momentum
At MUNA Social Services’ Aim High Academy in East New York, students now attend programming Monday through Thursday, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at 464 Crescent Street, Brooklyn, NY, receiving consistent academic support and enrichment that’s already showing results.
Since expanding to this four-day weekly schedule, students have demonstrated real academic progress — stronger homework completion, better test prep, and a noticeable shift in overall engagement. Parents have reported increased confidence in their children’s schoolwork, and teachers have noted improvements in key subjects like math and reading.
What makes the program stand out is its team of Academic Mentors, many of whom are current students or alumni of New York City’s Specialized High Schools. These mentors bring not only subject expertise but also lived experience that resonates with students aiming to follow similar paths. The program also offers internship opportunities, giving high schoolers hands-on experience in tutoring, program operations, and youth mentorship.
Whether students are preparing for the SHSAT, catching up on classwork, or building new skills in a supportive environment, Aim High Academy continues to provide structure, encouragement, and results — all within reach of the East New York community.
MSS Joins MECPHS Students
On December 13, 2025, MUNA Social Services partnered with Medgar Evers College Preparatory School (MECPHS) to support the school’s National Honor Society in their annual community service event. Held at the MECPHS cafeteria in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the event focused on delivering essential food support to local families during the winter season.
Food bags were distributed to the first 150 families, ensuring timely and efficient service to those who arrived early. MSS supported the logistics and outreach, working alongside students and staff to make sure the effort was both well-organized and impactful.
The collaboration served as a meaningful learning opportunity for the student volunteers, many of whom helped assemble and distribute food while engaging directly with community members. It also marked another step in MSS’s mission to support youth-led service and promote civic responsibility in the next generation.
MSS extends its appreciation to the MECPHS National Honor Society for their leadership and commitment to giving back—and looks forward to future opportunities to serve side by side.
Holiday Toy & Food Distribution: Council Member Rita Joseph & MSS
On December 20, MUNA Social Services partnered with Caribbean Equality Project and Council Member Rita Joseph for a major holiday resource fair in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Held at P.S. 6 Norma Adams Clemons Academy, the event was a collaborative effort to serve local families with dignity and care during the holiday season.
Hundreds of attendees lined up to receive free toys, groceries, fresh produce, sexual health supplies, and critical immigrant resources. The event brought together an extensive coalition of partners—including NY Communities for Change, Flatbush Mixtape, NYC Commission on Human Rights, MetroPlus Health, and more.
MSS supported the effort by helping with food distribution and community engagement throughout the day. With the combined support of city agencies, nonprofits, and grassroots organizers, the event became more than a giveaway—it became a powerful show of solidarity.
As 2025 draws to a close, MSS remains committed to partnerships that support holistic wellbeing, especially for immigrant and working-class families across New York City.
MSS & Council Member Banks @ Linden Rehab Center
On December 20, 2025, MUNA Social Services partnered with Council Member Chris Banks, Changing Lives Christian Center, and several local organizations to host a food distribution event in Brooklyn’s District 42.Held at Linden Rehabilitation Center, the event welcomed residents from across the neighborhood to pick up fresh produce, pantry items, canned goods, and more. The effort aimed to ease the burden on families facing food insecurity during the winter season, especially as grocery prices continue to rise.
MSS worked alongside partners including City Harvest, The Campaign Against Hunger, and Linden Center to ensure that supplies were efficiently distributed and that the event ran smoothly from start to finish.
MUNA Social Services thanks Council Member Banks for leading this effort and remains committed to serving vulnerable communities through collaborative partnerships across New York City.
Families Come First: Alfadila Community Services & MSS
On Saturday, December 13, 2025, MUNA Social Services teamed up with Alfadila Community Services and several community partners for a large-scale food distribution event at PS/IS 30 in Brooklyn. The event ran from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., serving hundreds of families in the local area.
The initiative brought together organizations including Africana, the NYPD, Amazon, COPO, NYC Public Engagement Unit, CABS Health Network, and NIA Community Services Network. Together, they worked to ensure families facing hardship during the holiday season had access to essential food supplies.
Held in the schoolyard on 4th Avenue, the distribution emphasized that families are the top priority. MSS helped support the operation with logistics and on-site coordination, making sure everything ran smoothly and with dignity for all who came.
This event reinforced the power of community-driven outreach and how meaningful partnerships can deliver real impact for families across Brooklyn.
Senior Connection Center: A Growing Circle of Care
At a time when many seniors face isolation, MUNA Social Services’ Senior Connection Centers in Kensington and East New York are creating vital spaces for community, nourishment, and connection.
Together, the two centers serve an estimated 100+ seniors each month—offering more than just meals. These gatherings provide a chance to catch up with old friends, meet new faces, and engage in conversations that bring joy and meaning to daily life.
Each session offers a warm, communal setting where elders enjoy a freshly prepared meal, share stories, and receive support navigating available services. From health check-ins to wellness programs, the Senior Connection model is built on dignity, respect, and consistent care.
As MSS continues to grow the Senior Connection initiative, its focus remains simple: make every senior feel seen, valued, and part of something larger.
Community Help Center: Trusted Help
MUNA Social Services’ Community Help Center (CHC) continues to provide vital support across four high-need neighborhoods: Jackson Heights, Kensington, East New York, and Parkchester. With rising costs and growing demand, CHC has become a trusted resource for families navigating complex systems — offering help that’s personal, informed, and timely.
Whether it’s assistance with public benefits, housing support, legal referrals, or navigating city services, CHC staff and volunteers meet one-on-one with clients to ensure they aren’t facing these challenges alone. Many visitors come in for SNAP or housing application help, but end up receiving guidance on multiple fronts — from understanding mail and notices, to accessing employment resources, and getting connected to emergency food programs.
By embedding these services directly into neighborhood hubs, MSS has removed barriers like language, transit, and technology. Each site is staffed by culturally competent team members who speak the local community’s languages and understand their unique needs.
As word spreads, CHC’s impact continues to grow. In every borough it serves, the goal remains the same: treat every person with dignity, listen to their story, and help them move one step closer to stability.
Annual Toy Giveaway: Assembly Member Nikki Lucas & MSS
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, MUNA Social Services proudly joined Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and District Leader Michael Rosendary for the Annual Winter Wonderland Toy Giveaway at Brooklyn Sports Club in East New York.
Hundreds of families from across Brooklyn gathered at 1540 Van Siclen Avenue for a festive afternoon filled with laughter, community, and generosity. The event featured tables overflowing with toys—from sports balls to dolls—ensuring that every child who walked through the doors left with a smile and a gift in hand.
This holiday collaboration with elected officials, local organizations, and community partners helped bring relief and joy to families navigating difficult times. MSS volunteers helped manage distribution, support crowd coordination, and assist families throughout the event.
Partnerships like these remind us how small gestures—like a toy in the hands of a child—can carry big meaning during the holiday season.
Nourish Bed-Stuy Neighbors
On December 12, 2025, MUNA Social Services joined hands with Masjid At-Taqwa in Brooklyn to host a special food distribution event aimed at supporting families in need as the year draws to a close.
The collaboration brought together local volunteers, masjid leadership, and MSS staff to distribute grocery bags filled with essential items. The event served as part of MSS’s ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity while building meaningful partnerships with community institutions.
With rising costs affecting families across the city, this effort helped ensure dozens of households had access to staple goods during the winter season.
MSS extends its sincere gratitude to the leadership of Masjid At-Taqwa for their continued hospitality and to the volunteers who helped make the day a success. Together, we continue working to meet urgent needs—right where they exist.
Holiday Resource Fair in The Bronx: NYIC & MSS
On December 6, 2025, MUNA Social Services joined dozens of organizations at the Key to the City Holiday Resource Fair hosted at International Community High School in the Bronx. The event, led by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), brought together a diverse coalition of community-based partners to serve families with comprehensive support just in time for the winter season.
Hundreds of Bronx residents were able to connect with services ranging from youth programming and public benefit enrollment to health access, library services, and food distribution.
This partnership reinforces MSS’s commitment to meeting New Yorkers where they are—especially in neighborhoods that are often overlooked. Events like these make it easier for families to access the support they need all in one place, without barriers.
We’re proud to stand with NYIC and other partners in making sure no one is left out of the city’s safety net.
Annual Christmas Gathering: Brooklyn Collective Clergy Council & MSS
On December 20, 2025, MUNA Social Services joined a broad coalition of community partners for the Annual Christmas Gathering at 127 Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York.
The event was hosted in collaboration with Mel’s Helping Hands, Assembly Member Erik M. Dilan, NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, SATA Family Inc., Brooklyn Collective Clergy Council (BCCC), and the 516 Seniors Association. The gathering offered families and residents an afternoon of toys, games, music, and holiday spirit.
Held on the third floor of the venue from 1 to 4 p.m., the celebration aimed to bring joy and connection to local residents during the winter season. With partners from across the borough coming together, the event reflected a shared commitment to building stronger, more united neighborhoods through small but meaningful community moments.
MUNA Social Services was proud to take part in this initiative as part of its continued support for inclusive, community-centered efforts throughout Brooklyn.
The Dire State Hunger in New York City
In December 2025, MUNA Social Services’ Nourish Emergency Food Assistance Program (NEFAP) distributed over 350,000 pounds of food to more than 27,000 individuals across 32 pantry sites in New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Each distribution included a thoughtful mix of fresh produce, halal meat, dry goods, and culturally familiar staples, helping families put food on the table during a time of high need. From working parents to seniors on fixed incomes, thousands relied on this support to get through the end-of-year season.
“This is one of the busiest times of the year for our team,” said Abul Kashem, Director of Warehouse Operations at MSS. “But it’s also the most rewarding—knowing we’re helping people go home with food they can count on.”
NEFAP’s work is made possible by a strong system of volunteers, warehouse staff, drivers, and community partners. Every bag packed and every line served reflects MSS’s mission to make sure no one is left behind when it comes to food access.