by Megan Osborn
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s important to remind ourselves about local food drives in our community. These food drives are essential for people who don’t have food, as demand for food increases during the holiday season.
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. During November they have opportunities for food donations. For example, their annual Four Leaf Turkey Drive that took place on November 21st at 899 S. Oyster Bay Rd, Bethpage afforded people the opportunity to donate frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items, and monetary donations, all of which go straight to Island Harvest to help provide Thanksgiving meals to local families in need. Even if you cannot attend the event, they have other ways to donate, such as stopping by your local branch to donate non-perishables or making an online donation through their website.
In addition to this, Oceanside High School holds its annual “Turkey Shoot” during Thanksgiving week which allows students to donate and assemble Thanksgiving meals for families in need in partnership with Oceanside Community Services. This has been taking place for 37 years and it is one of the most beloved traditions the school has to offer. All ten of Oceanside’s schools participate by donating essential food items which include boxes of stuffing, cans of candied yams, and other holiday staples, including frozen turkeys. By doing this, Oceanside High Schools Turkey Shoot has delivered approximately 5,500 holiday meals, adding up to more than 100,000 pounds of food since 1986. Last year alone they packaged baskets for approximately 115 families.
The meaning of Thanksgiving is to express gratitude, and there’s no better way to do so than helping others who are struggling to meet basic needs. By supporting these community efforts, each of us can play a small but meaningful role in making the holiday brighter for families facing hardship. Acts of generosity help strengthen our community and remind us of the true spirit of the holiday season.