The Importance of Giving Back this Thanksgiving

News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: November 22, 2011
Contact: Bryant G. Gaspard | gaspard@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

*PRESS RELEASE*

Senator Shirley L. Huntley Emphasizes the Importance
of Giving Back this Thanksgiving Season

While Thanksgiving is the time of year when people spend time with their family and friends and give thanks for all they have, Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) noted that the holiday also offers New Yorkers the opportunity to help the less fortunate.

Senator Huntley is inviting all New Yorkers to donate time or money to help local organizations provide for all of the members of our community this Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that we are thankful for, and that experience can be enhanced by volunteering and giving back to our community,” said Senator Huntley. “It is also a great way of instilling the value of community service in our children and grandchildren. With a little generosity from all of us, local organizations can make a potentially difficult and dim time of the year much brighter.”

Everyday Senator Huntley makes it a priority to help and give back to the community she represents in any way she can. She holds her annual ‘Operation Give Back’ drive which gives away turkeys to families in Southeast Queens and also holds a pre-thanksgiving dinner for veterans from the Proctor-HopsonVeterans of Foreign War Post #1896. 

A few ways to make the most impact in both your local community and around the state is donating your time, money, or nonperishable food items to your nearby soup kitchen or other participating Thanksgiving charities. Local food pantries are urging members of their communities to donate typical Thanksgiving dinner items such as:

• Turkey
• Stuffing mix
• Rolls or bread
• Cranberry sauce
• Gravy
• Canned vegetables
• Potatoes

“This Thanksgiving remember that when you’re sitting at the table giving thanks and eating a hot meal, there are others out there less fortunate”, Senator Huntley continued. “With that said, I’m wishing my friends, family, community, and the great state of New York a happy and hopeful thanksgiving season.”

The Food Bank Association of New York State helps feed over 2 million people a year, with the number of people in need continuing to grow.

To get further information on how you can help the fight against hunger or to find local food banks near you visit http://www.foodbankassocnys.org/.

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Additional news available at http://huntley.nysenate.gov and facebook.com/Shirley L. Huntley
New York State Senate Email | shuntley@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531