Long Island Cares Collecting Thanksgiving Foods For 'Adopt-A-Family' Program

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Long Island Cares is collecting turkey and all the trimmings for food-insecure families who need help to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal as part of its "Adopt-a-Family" program, the organization announced.

The program is scheduled to run through Nov. 15. Individuals, school groups, companies, law firms, and others are among the donors every year.

"Our Adopt-a-Family program is one I very much cherish," Billy Gonyou, the community event and food drive manager at Long Island Cares, told Patch. "This program has become more than just a Thanksgiving food drive; it has become a way for food insecure Long Islanders to celebrate the holiday season without having to worry about where their meal will be coming from."

People can see what families need and learn where to drop items off here.

Since 2018, more than 30,000 Thanksgiving meals have been raised through this program, according to Gonyou.

"When you step back and look at that number, you realize that 30,000 represents families all over Long Island who were able to celebrate without worry with their family and friends," he said.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America since 2020 to help raise awareness in our local communities of hunger, a persistent national problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks and 60,000 local meals programs across the country, estimates that nearly 34 million people, including 9 million children — about 1 in 6 Americans — are living with food insecurity. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.