Grateful families began lining up at Dunlevy Milbank school on 118th street two days before Thanksgiving to pick up a turkey that means the difference between celebrating these holidays, or going hungry.
Alvarez was inspired to start the project by struggles in his own life.
“Domestic violence was the monster in my life that forced my mother and me into homeless shelters. I remember the hardest times for us were the holidays, the days where everyone had food and my mother and I didn’t. Starting this venture was very personal to me,” said Alvarez. “We are not just feeding disadvantaged families this Thanksgiving. The turkeys are more than just a food item; they represent family and unity.”
The 18-year-old freshman at Syracuse University grew up in the South Bronx, and is one of those rare individuals who triumphs over adversity, with the ability to turn negatives into positives. He has been described as inspirational and a natural born leader.
"This is a young man who is kind of like that Obama fellow, in the sense of how he can rally the troops and make people really believe in him," Wayne Dawson, Campus Director at Dunlevy Milbank, told The Daily News.
“This event allows the greater society to witness a new youth social change movement, where, even in this depressing economic crisis, the youth have the power to productively change their own community and potentially the world,” Alvarez told press at the Dunlevy Milbank school where they were handing out the turkeys.
Alvarez founded Project Feed Me in high school and continued his efforts on the Syracuse campus before teaming up with Sam Giber (vice president) and Leah Moushey (public relations). Together, they form a diverse and dynamic group of college students.
“What is truly amazing about this organization is that it is driven by the idealistic zeal of young men and women who truly, and wholeheartedly, believe they can eradicate the social ills of our society like hunger, illiteracy, homelessness,” said Maximo Patino, Director of Diversity for the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and mentor to the organization.
“At a time when many students are concerned about parties and midterms, Patrick Alvarez and Project Feed Me want to change the world.”
