Food Bank for Westchester Commemorates 25th Anniversary with Holiday Turkey Drive

Drive Urges Residents to Donate $25 to Provide Two Families with Turkeys this Thanksgiving

The Food Bank for Westchester is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in a most fitting way, by asking Westchester residents to help their neighbors celebrate Thanksgiving. A donation of just $25 will provide turkeys for two families this Thanksgiving. With approximately 200,000 Westchester residents hungry or at risk of being hungry, there is a significant need for turkeys this Thanksgiving.

Today, the Food Bank for Westchester joined with dozens of its friends and supporters from the political, business and community worlds to announce its goal of doubling last year’s number and provide 4,000 turkeys for needy families.

“Many families are stretched so thin financially that a traditional Thanksgiving meal just simply isn’t in the budget,” said Ellen Lynch, Food Bank for Westchester Executive Director. “Thanks to everyone who supports our holiday turkey drive, a huge burden is lifted off these families’ shoulders.”

With the donated money, the Food Bank purchases turkeys from food brokers who work directly with farms and Feeding America. The turkeys are then distributed to the more than 200 hunger relief agencies and food pantries in Westchester that will hand them out to families in need. Individuals can also donate frozen turkeys to the Food Bank warehouse in Elmsford.

“Thanksgiving is a time for all of us to reflect on all of the blessings we have, and this is a great opportunity to give thanks and to give back to others in need,” said Rick Rakow, Chairman of the Board, Food Bank for Westchester. “With the public’s help we can give hungry families something to be thankful for this holiday season.”

“An important initiative such as this at Thanksgiving focuses attention on the fact that in our county, despite its affluence, there are so many people who go to sleep hungry,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “What is most impressive about the Food Bank for Westchester is that it provides food to those who are in need year-round not just at holiday times. I urge my fellow residents to be part of this turkey drive.”  

To donate to the Turkey Drive, please visit www.foodbankforwestchester.org or text FB4W to 88500.

About the Food Bank for Westchester

Incorporated in 1988, the Food Bank for Westchester is one of eight food banks in New York State. It acquires warehouses and distributes more than 7 million pounds of food annually to 230 frontline hunger-relief programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care and residential programs serving the 200,000 Westchester residents who are hungry or at risk of being hungry. Based in Elmsford, NY, the Food Bank is located in a 36,000sf warehouse and is home to Westchester’s largest refrigerator and freezer. For more information, visit www.foodbankforwestchester.org.