Tuesday, July 23 – Nearly 200 families attended a mobile pantry distribution and food demonstration in Hunts Point. The event, hosted by Agatha House Foundation, was held on Longwood Avenue in the Bronx. It honored the non-profit agency’s founder & CEO, Jeannette Joseph-Greenaway, who passed away earlier in the week.
Agatha House continued with the mobile distribution as planned to carry on Jeannette’s unwavering commitment to feeding families across the Bronx.
Her daughter Brittany and husband Leonard shared a private moment with Food Bank For New York City volunteers before the distribution began at 11 a.m. They reflected on her legacy before serving Jeannette’s favorite produce items to neighbors in need.
Melanie Zuniga, Community Dietitian at Food Bank For NYC, then demonstrated how to make a hearty, easy-to-make roasted cauliflower and potato salad loaded with spinach, pistachios, and craisins, topped with a lemon dressing, to honor Jeannette.
“I want people to remember how strong she was…how much she fought, not just for herself, but for her community. She fought for others. She fought so others could have a fair chance.”
– Brittany Joseph, Jeannette’s daughter and Program Director at Agatha House Foundation
Jeannette was a beloved member of both the Bronx and the Food Bank For New York City communities.
She founded Agatha House in June 2014 to honor her mother, Agatha Joseph, a dedicated advocate for children and families that passed away three months prior. Their primary focus is to combat hunger in communities across New York City – providing hope, nutrition and education to children and families across the five boroughs.
“We believe all children deserve the opportunity to develop social skills, gain confidence, eat nutritional meals, play safely and develop lasting values that will serve them in adulthood.”
– Mission Statement of Agatha House Foundation
For over a decade, she ran the pantry alongside her two devoted daughters, Tiffany and Brittany — forming a dynamic female-led trio dedicated to providing hope and resources to those without life’s essentials. Together with her husband, Leonard Greenaway, the Joseph family continues to carry on Jeannette’s legacy by providing critical food resources throughout the Bronx.
Since 2015, Agatha House has partnered with Food Bank For NYC to scale their impact, becoming an integral part of our member agency family. In 2019, their second program, Agatha House Foundation-Mobile Pantry, joined the network as well.
“Jeannette was a powerhouse with a kind heart and warm smile. She was committed to creating resources to support a community with little to no access to consistent food resources when she opened her program. During her time as a partner at the helm of Agatha House Foundation, she was a beautiful example of consideration, commitment, and compassion for those she supported. She will be truly missed.”
– Zanita Tisdale, Vice President of Agency and Organizational Impact, Food Bank For NYC
Jeannette actively participated in various Food Bank For NYC programs. These included Mother’s Day food distributions, summer programs, and hot meal distributions during the pandemic. She also joined Easter Egg hunts, Christmas toy distributions, and the Woman to Woman Campaign.
As a Food Bank Agency Advisory Committee Member, Jeannette played a key role in shaping strategies, exploring new opportunities, and enhancing Food Bank For NYC’s operations.
Her profound impact on the Food Bank For NYC staff and the community inspires us to honor her memory by continuing to serve New Yorkers. As we mourn her loss, we celebrate the light Jeannette brought into our lives and strive to continue her monumental legacy. Jeannette’s incredible work within the community will never be forgotten, and her spirit of kindness and collaboration will guide us in our mission to empower New Yorkers to achieve food security for good.
