Community Corner

Local Places to Give Food or Volunteer for Thanksgiving

With Steven Nicastro

Looking to help out those less fortunate this holiday season? Here are some local opportunities. If you are in need, several pantries and free Thanksgiving meals are also listed below.

American Water Food Drive

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New York American Water encourages everyone to join them in assisting those in need this holiday season, as the company is sponsoring a food drive that will help Long Island Cares feed the hungry in local communities. Food can be dropped off at the Lynbrook building at 733 Sunrise Highway.

“We have collection boxes at our locations in Lynbrook, Merrick and Sea Cliff,” said Vice President of Operations Brian Bruce. “We hope those members of our community who can, will join our employees in filling these such that we will need more boxes.”

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Rock and Wrap It Up Feast

Cedarhurst-based anti-poverty organization Rock and Wrap It Up will host its 23rd annual Thanksgiving Feast on Thanksgiving from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In the past, the feast provided over 600 meals to residents of the Five Towns and Rockaways in need. The First Congregational Church of Rockaway on Beach 94th Street will once again host the meal. Take out service is provided and free taxi service is available. Kosher meals are available with advanced notice.

Local establishments, including Mother Kelly’s, Friendlier and The Seawane Club, will cook the turkeys. Apple and Eve of Port Washington donated all of the juice. Walls’ Bakery provides cake and pastries. Michelle and Edward Schorenstein donated all of the turkeys and hams. Bellmore-Merrick Schools and Merrill Lynch of Hewlett provide funding and volunteers. The Bagelry and Starbucks provide breakfast for morning volunteers.

Over 150 volunteers have already signed up, but volunteer opportunities are still available from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Donations are needed to continue the work of Rock and Wrap It Up. Call 516-295-0670 for more information or to donate.

St. Thomas the Apostle Thanksgiving Dinner

If you can’t travel to your Thanksgiving dinner, or aren’t up to cooking a whole turkey, join the St. Thomas the Apostle School in celebrating Thanksgiving.

"Come and join our parish family for dinner, donated by our local businesses and families," said Melissa Connolly, a co-chair of the dinner and pastoral council chair for the church. "Lots of food, fun and love. All are welcome. Meals are also available for delivery to those who have difficulty leaving their home."

The full Thanksgiving meal will be served starting at noon at the school at 12 Westminster Rd. in West Hempstead.

RSVP if possible, but not necessary, to the St. Thomas the Apostle rectory at 516-489-8585 with the total number of attendees.  

To donate or volunteer, please call the rectory or email stthomasapostlepc@gmail.com.

Nassau County Meal in Baldwin for Victims of Sandy

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano will join about 600 families still struggling to recover from Hurricane Sandy on Thursday, Nov. 28, for a special Thanksgiving Day feast.  

This traditional Thanksgiving feast is being provided free as a community service by local merchants and the Coral House of Baldwin, located at 70 Milburn Ave., according to a county release.

The traditional Thanksgiving meal includes oven roasted turkey with giblet gravy and cranberry chutney, cranberry glazed slow-cooked ham, corn bread stuffing, pumpkin/cranberry bread, candied yams, pineapple and sweet potato casserole, butternut squash and creamed spinach. Desserts include several variations of pie, including apple, pumpkin, chocolate pudding and coconut custard.

Residents interested in attending the Thanksgiving Day feast, starting at 11:30 a.m., at the Coral House should contact Mangano’s office by calling Eden Laikin at 516-571-6105 or email elaikin@nassaucountyny.gov.

Skelos’ Toy and Clothing Drive

Sen. Dean Skelos will be collecting new winter clothes and new unwrapped toys for children in need at his district office in Rockville Centre.

Donations can be dropped off at 55 Front St. on or before Dec. 16. For any questions, Skelos’ office can be contacted at (516) 766-8383.

“With so much to be thankful for, we should not forget those who are less fortunate than us or who may have fallen on hard times,” Skelos said. “There are people within our community who are in need of help, especially during the holiday season, and together we can make a difference.”

Food pantries:

  • Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malverne provides a food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is located at 65 Wright Ave. in Malverne.

  • Mercy First of West Hempstead’s pantry is open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 60 Hempstead Ave. 516-873-9191

  • The JCC of the Greater Five Towns kosher food pantry is located in Woodmere. Any residents in need of food or those who would like to volunteer to deliver supplies can contact the JCC at 516-569-6733.

  • The Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre is in need of turkeys to be given to families in need. Turkeys can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 59 Clinton Ave. Toys are also being collected for the Three Kings celebration on Jan. 5 at the Rockville Centre recreation center.

  • Know of any other resources we may have missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.


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