Archbishop Hicks Kicks Off Easter with Food Distribution in Washington Heights

The newly appointed leader of the Archdiocese of New York joined Catholic Charities to serve hundreds of families in need.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:25pm

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An extremely abstract, out-of-focus scene of volunteers handing out bags of food to a crowd of people, with the faces and details obscured in a warm, colorful haze, capturing the caring and community-driven nature of the event.The vibrant, compassionate spirit of Archbishop Hicks' first Easter food distribution in Washington Heights shines through the soft, dreamlike lens of Saul Leiter's signature style.NYC Today

Archbishop Ronald Hicks, the newly named leader of the Archdiocese of New York, kicked off his first Easter season by participating in a food distribution event organized by Catholic Charities in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The distribution served around 450 families, providing them with fresh produce, protein sources, and canned goods.

Why it matters

Hicks' participation in the food distribution event marks the start of his tenure as the spiritual leader of 2.8 million Catholic New Yorkers. His hands-on approach and outreach to the community, particularly Spanish-speaking residents, signals a more progressive shift in the archdiocese's leadership and its commitment to serving the diverse needs of the city.

The details

On Holy Thursday, Archbishop Hicks joined Catholic Charities volunteers in filling grocery carts with food items such as carrots, onions, plantains, chicken, eggs, and canned goods from Goya Foods. The distribution line stretched around the block, with some families waiting since 6 a.m. to receive the assistance. Hicks embraced the New Yorkers who came through the line, emphasizing the importance of serving one another and seeing the face of God in each person.

  • On April 2, 2026, Archbishop Hicks participated in the food distribution event on Holy Thursday.
  • Hicks officially took the reins as the leader of the Archdiocese of New York on February 6, 2026.

The players

Archbishop Ronald Hicks

The newly appointed leader of the Archdiocese of New York, who became the spiritual leader of 2.8 million Catholic New Yorkers in February 2026.

Catholic Charities

The organization that organized the food distribution event in Washington Heights, where Archbishop Hicks participated.

Goya Foods

The company that donated 300,000 lbs. of food to the Easter distribution event.

Lakisha Morris

The Director of Food and Housing at Catholic Charities New York.

Antonio Fernandez

The CEO of Catholic Charities New York.

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What they’re saying

“What does it mean to wash feet? That we actually love one another, we serve one another. We meet, we see the face of God in each other, and this is happening live right now, right here.”

— Archbishop Ronald Hicks

“With everything that is happening, treat people with dignity, see the face of God in each other and at the end of the day–the respect that we build on is that we are brothers and sisters to each other.”

— Archbishop Ronald Hicks

“We know that we're gonna have more people in the food pantry. So now we rely on companies like Goya to help us with food so we can provide for this because we don't have the money to do everything we can. There's not gonna be enough food today for everybody.”

— Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities New York

What’s next

Archbishop Hicks plans to continue his outreach and collaboration with New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, to address the growing need for food assistance and other social services in the city.

The takeaway

Archbishop Hicks' hands-on approach and commitment to serving the diverse communities of New York City, particularly Spanish-speaking residents, signals a shift towards a more progressive and inclusive leadership in the Archdiocese of New York. The partnership between the Catholic Church and the city government to address food insecurity and poverty reflects a shared vision for the common good.