Island Harvest Food Bank kicked off its annual Turkey and Trimmings collection campaign on Tuesday.
The annual food collection helps Long Islanders in need enjoy a holiday-style meal.
Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest,said that the food bank forecasts a demand for 18,500 turkeys and tens of thousands of pounds of trimmings. By comparison, 16,891 turkeys were collected and distributed across Nassau and Suffolk counties last year by Island Harvest.
Everyday grocery items like bread have increased by 16.2%, eggs by 39.8%, milk by 17% and fruits and vegetables by 9.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates.
At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the price of Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people was $46.90. In 2021, there was a 14% increase ($6.41) to $53.31. And in 2022, that same dinner is expected to cost around $61, a 12.6% increase.
Island Harvest’s Turkey and Trimmings Collection Campaign, which runs from Nov.1 to Dec. 30, encourages Long Islanders to donate turkeys and all the trimmings necessary to complete a traditional holiday-style meal for their neighbors struggling to feed their families. During the campaign, numerous collection events will be held across Long Island at supermarkets, schools, places of worship, and other locations.
For a schedule of food collection events or to start your own food drive, visit www.islandharvest.org.
“Long Islanders have always stepped up to help their neighbors in need,” Shubin Dresner said. “We understand that so many families are struggling to make ends meet, so we are grateful for any donation they can afford so that we can help the most vulnerable among us can share the warmth and joy of a traditional holiday-style meal with their loved ones,”
Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly is accepting donations through the holiday season but are especially requested before Thanksgiving.
Holiday food items in need and requested as donations include:
Turkey / Ham / Chicken
Mash Potato Mix (Boxed)
Canned Tuna / Chicken
Canned Vegetables
Canned Soupsn
Gravy (Canned / Dry Mix)
Beans (Canned / Dry / Bagged)
Stuffing (Boxed / Bagged)
Beans / Rice / Quinoa (Boxed / Bagged)
Nuts / Seeds / Dried Fruits
Canned Fruit in Natural Juice
Peanut Butter
Rolled Oats / Oatmeal
Whole Grain, Low Sugar Dry Cereals
Shelf-Stable Milk / Milk Substitutes
Cranberry / Apple / Fruit Juice (Plastic / Carton only)
Vegetable, Olive and Canola Oil
Personal Care Products / Toiletries
Donations can be dropped off at Donnelly’s District Office, 130 West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station, Monday through Thursday between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm through Monday, Nov. 21 to ensure they can be distributed to needy families in time for Thanksiving. For more informaiton, please visit www.islandharvest.org