Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it seems that the holiday season starts earlier and earlier each and every year. But while department stores are already playing Christmas music and Santa is taking pictures with kids at the mall, Patch is out trying to spread the true meaning of what the holidays are all about: giving.
We know it's still November, but it's never too early to start helping out your fellow man. In these hard times, there are an abundance of hard-working or down-on-their-luck families that can't enjoy the holidays like everyone else. One way you can help is by getting involved in local food drives to ensure that no one goes hungry this holiday season.
Below is a list of local holiday food drives you can get involved in. Take the high road and give all you can to brighten up a neighbor's holiday.
1. Massapequa Chamber of Commerce General Meeting/Food Drive: This drive, held by the on Thursday, November 17, 2011, 12:00 noon at , located at 4847 Merrick Road in Massapequa Park. Please bring a non-perishable food item such as canned fruit, canned meat, nuts, etc.
2. Long Island Cares Food Drive: This drive, run by the hard-working and selfless Long Island Cares, is currently ongoing. You can drop off non-perishable food items such as canned meats and soup and personal care items such as toothbrushes and diapers at 10 Davids Drive in Hauppauge. Call 631-582-FOOD (3663) for details.
3. Island Harvest Food Drive: Another originzation dedicated to helping stamp out local hunger is Island Harvest. Like Long Island Cares, their food drive efforts are ongoing and every little bit helps. You can contact them at their main office in Mineola at 516-294-8528 for more details on how you can help.
4. Berner Middle School: Students at the school are bringing canned goods and non perishable food. They are looking for soups, tuna, canned vegetables, cereal, pasta, and health items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. They are not accepting money donations. Any homerooms with 100 percent participation will win a bagel party.
Patch will update this list with more charitable holiday events as they become available.
