Mets Community Insider: A Look Back At November
AMAZIN’ METS FOUNDATION HOSTS ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation donated a record-high 8,754 turkeys to New Yorkers in need as part of the 11th annual MetsGiving Turkey Giveaway, presented by Stop & Shop with help from your local Toyota dealers. Twenty-five community organizations received turkeys to support their Thanksgiving meal programs.
New York Mets infielder, Mark Vientos, and Mets starting pitcher, Sean Manaea, joined Mr. and Mrs. Met and the Mets’ front office staff to distribute the turkeys at various locations across New York City on November 21.
Toyota’s generous transportation support made it possible for volunteers to assist with distributions in the five boroughs: Queensborough Community College in Queens (which additionally received Thanksgiving staples donated by Stop & Shop), West Side Campaign Against Hunger in Manhattan, New York Common Pantry in the Bronx, Project Hospitality in Staten Island, and City Harvest in Brooklyn. Individuals receiving turkeys at these distribution sites were given a voucher for tickets to select Mets home games in 2026.
The program reaches approximately 8,000 students each year, providing opportunities to explore physics, engineering, and math through baseball-themed challenges that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.
To kick off the program, the Foundation and Science of Sport hosted teachers from participating schools to introduce the curriculum and deliver hands-on STEM training in dynamic, real-world contexts.
METSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
On November 13, the Mets, in partnership with the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, hosted their annual MetsGiving Food Drive benefiting City Harvest at Citi Field.
Individuals who donated at least 10 non-perishable items received one voucher redeemable for two tickets to select Monday – Thursday Mets home games in 2026. The Mets Team Store also offered a 20% discount to those who donated.
Mr. and Mrs. Met stopped by to help collect a record 17,475 pounds of food, which will help feed over 5,800 New Yorkers. City Harvest will distribute the food collected throughout the holiday season.
City Harvest is New York City’s first and largest food rescue organization. This year, City Harvest will rescue more than 86 million pounds of nutritious, high-quality food that would otherwise go to waste and deliver it, for free, to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens and community partners across the five boroughs.
SANDLOT STARS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation hosted 40 local baseball and softball teams at the Mets Academy in the Dominican Republic during the first week of November. In collaboration with grantee partner Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, the Foundation’s Sandlot Stars program provided brand new equipment to all 40 teams. In addition, nearly 100 young athletes had the unique opportunity to work with the academy players and coaches during a Junior Mets clinic, focusing on skills development in baseball and softball.
A special surprise visit by Mets outfielder, Juan Soto, made the day that much more memorable for the athletes.
Since 2021, the Foundation has provided brand new equipment, through the Sandlot Stars program, to more than 9,000 little leaguers in New York City, New Jersey, Long Island, Syracuse, Port St. Lucie, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. This program strives to introduce the game of baseball and softball to underserved youth while helping to develop skills and fundamentals for young athletes to foster a love for the game and create a pathway for the future of the sport.
EAT SMART WITH THE METS
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation and grantee GrowNYC teamed up for Eat Smart with the Mets, a nutrition education initiative. This includes GrowNYC’s Seed to Plate curriculum, which promotes healthy eating habits and provides young students with foundational knowledge about nutrition and sustainability.
In November, participating students from PS277Q visited a local chicken coop as they dove into Lesson 7: Sustainable vs. Industrial Farming. This lesson explored what it means to farm responsibly and care for animals. In addition to touring the chicken coup, students fed chickens, checked nesting boxes for eggs, conducted a predator check, and participated in fun hands-on art and games.
In 2025, Eat Smart with the Mets reached more than 1,700 students across Brooklyn and Queens.
AMAZIN’ METS FOUNDATION WINTER COAT DRIVE: DECEMBER 10, 2025
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is teaming up with New York Cares for the 19th annual Coat Drive, presented by your local Toyota dealers, on December 10 in the Mets Team Store at Citi Field. Mets personnel, along with New York Cares will collect donations to keep those in need warm during the cold winter months in New York. The event will feature a special appearance by Mr. & Mrs. Met. Fans bringing a new or gently used winter coat will receive a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a select Monday – Thursday Mets home game in 2026. Fans will be limited to one ticket voucher. Fans who donate will also receive an exclusive 20% discount at the Team Store. Some exclusions may apply.
Free parking for the Coat Drive will be available in Lot G, which can be accessed through Gate 1 on Seaver Way. The Mets Team Store is located on the first base side of Citi Field, between the Jackie Robinson Rotunda and the Hodges Entrance.
Further details can be found at Mets.com/CoatDrive.
