New York Mets pitcher Sean Manaea and third baseman Mark Vientos participated in the team's annual Thanksgiving initiatives, distributing meals across the five boroughs. The efforts are part of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation's MetsGiving program, supported by owners Steve and Alex Cohen. Players engaged with residents, highlighting their growing connections to the community.
Each November, a team of Mets employees loads trucks to deliver Thanksgiving meals throughout New York City's five boroughs, often joined by celebrity guests. This year, Sean Manaea visited the Child Development Support Corporation in Brooklyn to hand out meals to local residents. Meanwhile, Mark Vientos assisted at the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation before heading to Queensborough Community College in Bayside, where a long line of people awaited the team's support. Manaea later continued his efforts in the Bronx.
At the stops, fans eagerly posed for selfies with the players. One resident, unfamiliar with Manaea's name, exclaimed about his imposing stature, "Must be a celebrity!"
“It’s amazing to be able to help the Amazin’ Mets Foundation,” Manaea said afterward. “I’m super happy to be giving back. For me and our family, it’s just something super simple we could do to help out the community.”
Manaea, who previously participated in Bay Area initiatives during his time with the Athletics and Giants, has lived full-time in Manhattan since joining the Mets. This marked one of his final local appearances before moving to Florida. He brought his wife and infant daughter to the events.
Vientos, who grew up partly in southern Connecticut, has built stronger ties to the city over his few years with the team. He invited his girlfriend and shared laughs while joking with Queens residents collecting turkeys and holiday staples.
“It’s awesome to interact with everybody in the community, especially in different areas,” Vientos said. “It just makes me more familiar with the city and makes it more comfortable. I’ve been here for a couple years now, and I think every year that I have played here, I’m getting more and more comfortable.”
The turkey giveaway forms one part of the five-pronged MetsGiving initiative, which also includes a food drive, coat drive, holiday dinner for families, and a party for schoolchildren. These programs have expanded under owners Steve and Alex Cohen.
“Seeing people smile and enjoying it, I’m happy just to see them [and to] give out [food],” Vientos said. “Whether it’s apples, potatoes, turkeys -- everybody’s happy and having a good time. I think that’s the coolest part.”