BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Joined by a host of volunteers, University officials, and one city councilwoman, the Red Storm men's basketball team made its 11th-annual Thanksgiving trip to the St. John's Bread and Life Soup Kitchen on Wednesday, serving turkey dinners to nearly 1,200 Brooklyn area residents.

New York City councilwoman Darlene Mealy joined St. John's University Executive Vice President and C.O.O. James Pellow, Director of Athletics Chris Monasch, STJ Associate Vice President Dr. Nancy Kaplan, retired bishop of the Archdiocese of Brooklyn Rev. Thomas Daly, head coach Norm Roberts and family, NBC 4's Bruce Beck and family, and the Red Storm men's basketball players and staff at the Brooklyn facility.

Mealy, a council member from Brooklyn's 41st District, serves in the area where the new St. John's Bread and Life Soup Kitchen will be housed, as the organization will move from its current 8,000 square foot building to a new, 85,000 square foot building in mid-March, where its mission of service will be furthered even more.

"One of the things that makes St. John's University a unique place is its mission to help the less fortunate," said Roberts. "This is the best day of the year for our team and our staff. The opportunity to help people in this way, even if it's just to make one day better for them, is awesome."

"It makes me feel good that I am able to put a smile on someone's face, especially someone who might be going through a rough time in their life," added freshman guard and New York native Malik Boothe. "As basketball players at St. Johns we are very fortunate, and it's great to have the opportunity to help those who are not as lucky."

Fr. James Maher, C.M., University Vice President for Student Affairs and Chairman of the Board at St. John's Bread and Life, Mary Pat Beirne of Athletic Development and Tori Migliore and Fr. Tri Mihn Duong of STJ Campus Ministry spearhead the annual community service event with the Red Storm.

Scenes from the day and Bruce Beck interviews from St. John's Bread and Life Soup Kitchen will air on NBC 4 during Thanksgiving Day at 6 p.m. Red Storm fans can also catch footage on SportsNet New York on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., and an upcoming story on the Inside the BIG EAST television show.

St. John's Bread and Life
St. John's Bread and Life has been serving the New York City community since 1982, and its Sponsor a Family program at Christmastime will provide food, clothing and toys to more than 2,000 families and approximately 9,000 individuals. For more information or to make a contribution, please visit www.breadandlife.org.