You Can Help Needy Families This Thanksgiving

For a quarter of a million Long Islanders who struggle to put food on the table, Thanksgiving can be a difficult time of year.

To help these families celebrate the holiday, AARP Long Island is partnering with Long Island Cares Inc.-The Harry Chapin Food Bank to carry out the annual WALK Radio Thanks for Giving Food Drive Nov. 10 through Nov. 20.

The drive begins with AARP volunteers collecting food donations at various King Kullen supermarkets throughout Long Island. As shoppers enter a store, volunteers will hand them a list of needed trimmings—such as mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing—that they can purchase while shopping. As shoppers leave, the volunteers will collect the items they donate.

The food bank will package the trimmings with donated turkeys to provide a complete Thanksgiving meal for needy families.

Last year, 40 AARP volunteers helped collect roughly 12,000 pounds of food, enough food to provide about 9,900 meals.

This initiative is part of AARP’s mission to help reduce hunger on Long Island, particularly among older residents. Related efforts have included hosting sign-up sites for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

To find the nearest grocery store to make a donation, visit aarp.org/longisland. —Ronald E. Roel