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On Thanksgiving Day, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani stood alongside civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, Attorney General Letitia James, Spike Lee, and Congressman Adriano Espaillat at the National Action Network (NAN) headquarters in Harlem. Together, they helped serve hot meals to residents, many of whom came
from homeless shelters or lived alone without family to 
share the holiday.
Mamdani used the occasion to highlight his priorities as he prepares to take office in January. “Most of all, I’m thankful and I am grateful that in a little more than a month City Hall will focus its power on a mission that has too long escaped its attention — making a dignified, affordable life in New York a reality for every person who calls this city home,” he said. His words resonated with the event’s spirit: ensuring that no New Yorker is left behind during the holiday season.
Rev. Sharpton reminded attendees that Thanksgiving is not only about family gatherings but also about community solidarity. “Many who come today come from homeless shelters, but many are seniors who just don’t have people that they have a Thanksgiving dinner with,” he noted.
The National Action Network, founded by Rev. Sharpton in 1991, has made Thanksgiving meal distribution a cornerstone of its community outreach. Each year, NAN hosts its Annual Thanksgiving Feeding at the House of Justice on West 145th Street, serving hot meals to hundreds of residents.
In addition to Harlem, NAN chapters across the country organize turkey giveaways and meal programs. For example, the Los Angeles chapter recently distributed more than 500 meals to families in need. In Harlem, Sharpton himself has long led turkey distributions, often braving cold or rainy weather alongside volunteers to ensure families have food for the holidays. These efforts reflect NAN’s broader mission: combining advocacy for civil rights with tangible support for communities facing economic hardship.
Residents often describe the annual Harlem dinner as more than just a meal. It is a gathering where neighbors share stories, find companionship, and experience dignity in the face of adversity. As one Harlem resident explained, “Every year I come, I meet so many different people. I hear so many stories. And that warms my heart
