Hello Community,

Since 2020, we’ve shown up — rain, snow, or heat — to do one simple thing: make sure our neighbors are fed, clothed, and cared for.

My name is Brandon John-Freso, and I’m a co-founder of Riders4Rights, a grassroots mutual aid team based in BedStuy, Brooklyn. Every second Saturday of the month, our crew of around 20 volunteers comes together to host Giveback Day, providing free groceries, hot meals, and clothing to 100–200+ families — no questions asked.

So far, we’ve served over 70 tonnes of food to thousands of families — without ever missing a single Giveback Day in five years.

But as we hit the halfway point of 2025, the need is greater than ever. The housing, migrant, and economic crises are pushing more people to the edge, and we see it firsthand. Our lines now regularly wrap around the plaza. More people are showing up earlier, waiting longer, and depending on this support just to get by.

Despite the challenges, this past year has been one of our strongest yet:

Everyone in line received something, every single month

Zero incidents, zero shutdowns, zero missed dates

Rare surplus was donated to senior homes, community fridges, and local groups

Record-breaking volunteer turnout month after month

New community gatherings helped neighbors meet and support each other

And we continued to distribute food by hand — over 70 tonnes in total

We’ve kept this going without salaries, without government funding, and without compromise.

We even turned down a millionaire donor who asked us to compromise our values.

This work isn’t about profit, exposure, or control — it’s about direct care, community trust, and staying accountable to the people we serve.

Your donation will go directly toward:

Groceries and hot meals (about $1,000/month when food donations fall short)

Clothing and essential items

Storage, transportation, and supplies to make Giveback Day possible

Our books are open — anyone can ask to see exactly where the money goes. Our work is documented online, and most importantly, you’re always welcome to come see it for yourself. Every month, we invite the community to be part of something that’s real, rooted, and happening in the open. It’s a truly beautiful display of care, dignity, and mutual support.

If you believe in neighbors helping neighbors, please support us however you can. Whether it’s $5, $50, or just sharing this with someone who cares — it all makes a difference.

With gratitude and solidarity,

Brandon and the Riders4Rights Team