Metro

Vito serves it up for seniors

Bushwick’s seniors gave thanks for three things this Thanksgiving season: oven-roasted turkey, continued health, and Assemblyman Vito Lopez.

Lopez (D–Bushwick) and the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council hosted their annual Thanksgiving celebration at the nonprofit’s senior center on Stanhope Street last week, a tradition that dates back 38 years.

More than 200 volunteers began arriving at the center at 5 am to pick up and deliver prepared hot meals for over 2,500 seniors throughout North Brooklyn.

In addition, nearly 800 seniors stuffed into the center in anticipation of turkey with all the trimmings, forcing organizers set up an overflow room and tables in the hallway.

This year’s event drew a number of public officials who volunteered their time, including former Comptroller Bill Thompson, Borough President Markowitz, Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D–Fort Greene), Councilmembers Steve Levin (D–Williamsburg) and Erik Dilan (D–Bushwick), and state Sen. Martin Dilan (D–Bushwick), who called the event “the high point in the holiday season every year for me.”

“It’s great to get out, talk to people and lend a hand,” said Dilan. “I look forward to continuing the tradition in the future.”

ashort@cnglocal.com