As we gear up for another season of the NYC Basket Brigade, I wanted to share a story that feels both familiar and new. It’s a story about heart, leadership, and how small acts of generosity grow into something extraordinary.

“One small act of generosity can lift an entire community out of darkness and into hope.” – Sandra Reyes

Meet the Change Maker

When we first teamed up with PATHHSEO back in 2011 in the heart of the South Bronx, we started small with just 12 baskets. Today, that number has grown to hundreds each year, but the real story is about the people behind the baskets.

At the center of it all is Sandra Reyes, nurse turned nonprofit leader and the founder and CEO of PATHHSEO. Fourteen years ago, Sandra launched a food pantry model that now serves the Morrisania neighborhood and beyond.

Sandra believes that care doesn’t only happen in hospitals. It happens when someone walks into a home, delivers a basket, and says, “You matter.” After years as a nurse, she went back to school to study nonprofit administration and built PATHHSEO into a cornerstone of hope for families in need. The organization now runs a food pantry, soup kitchen, and homeless outreach programs in one of New York City’s most underserved communities.

What We Do Together

Thanks to our partnership, PATHHSEO has become more than a recipient of baskets. They’ve become a vital logistics hub, helping recover meals, coordinate trucking, and support large-scale food donations for our Brigade.

Every basket we deliver represents more than food. It’s a connection, a reminder that someone cares, and a moment of dignity for families who need it most.

Why This Matters Now

In communities like Morrisania, food insecurity remains painfully high. What began as a small initiative in 2011 has become a lifeline for hundreds of families today. Together, we are not just delivering meals; we are delivering hope and belonging.

Join the Movement: The NYC Basket Brigade

This season, we invite you to be part of something truly meaningful:

• Volunteer an evening to help pack or deliver baskets.
• Donate a basket (or several) to a family in need.
• Share this message with friends, colleagues, or anyone who believes that small acts can create big change.

Because as our mission reminds us, one caring person can transform the lives of hundreds.

Thank you for being part of this journey with NYC Basket Brigade and for keeping the light of generosity burning bright.

NYC Basket Brigade
Feeding families. Building community. One basket at a time.

P.S. If you’d like to learn more about Sandra’s work at PATHHSEO or how you can support families in her community this year, send us an email at nycbbvolunteers@gmail.com and we’ll share the next steps.