Veterans & Companion Animals Unload 1000 Turkeys for Stop & Shop's Turkey Express for Long Island Food Banks

U.S. Military Veterans who have been assisted by Paws of War and their companion animals helped unload 1,000 Thanksgiving Turkeys that Stop & Shop donated to Long Island Cares, Inc.- The Harry Chapin Food Bank, and Island Harvest Food Bank to address the critical issue of hunger and food insecurity on Long Island. Stop & Shop donated a combination of turkeys and gift cards to the two food banks to help feed over 2,000 Long Island families in need this Thanksgiving.

Paws of War assists veterans, first responders, and active military personnel who have served in any branch of the uniformed services in any era. These services include providing service animals, companion pets, training, veterinary care, and other supportive services connected to their animals.

"Paws of War is proud to take part in Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express Program to support Long Island Cares and Island Harvest Food Bank in their vital mission to fight hunger in our community,” said Robert Misseri, CEO & co-founder of Paws of War. “As an organization dedicated to serving veterans, first responders, and the animals who stand by their side, we know firsthand how important it is to care for those in need, especially during the holiday season. Every family deserves to share a meal and feel supported, and efforts like this remind us of what can be achieved when we come together with compassion and purpose."

"Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express is our signature holiday giving event because Thanksgiving is about bringing people and families together at the table to enjoy a large meal, including a turkey,” said Jim McGinn, Regional Vice President of Operations at Stop & Shop. “We’re so grateful to Paws of War and our heroic veterans for helping us unload our turkey donation. These veterans who so bravely served our nation encompass what Thanksgiving is all about, being thankful for what you have and giving back to support your neighbors in need so they may also enjoy this wonderful holiday.”

“Stop & Shop’s generosity and the service of our nation’s veterans remind us of what community truly means,” said Katherine M. Fritz, President & CEO, Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank. “At Long Island Cares, we’re committed to ensuring that every neighbor, including the men and women who have served our country, has access to nutritious food to feed their families. During this challenging time, partnerships like this reflect the power of compassion and collective action to bring hope to the table.”

"Island Harvest Food Bank is thankful for the support and long-standing partnership with Stop & Shop in our mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. This year, their generosity is more important than ever as more families struggle to put food on their tables," said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest Food Bank. "Stop & Shop's commitment to addressing the growing public health crisis of food insecurity demonstrates how effective partnerships between corporations and nonprofits can be in tackling some of society's most pressing issues."

The 2025 Turkey Express program will take place at a time that the federal budget calls for $300 billion in cuts to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Program, which serves more than 150,000 people on Long Island and 43 million nationwide.

Long Island Cares, Inc.- The Harry Chapin Food Bank and Island Harvest Food Bank will receive a combination of turkeys and gift cards to help over 2,000 Long Island families in need this Thanksgiving. The gift cards will allow families in need to purchase the specific holiday items they want and recognize the growing diversity across Long Island.

Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express program will deliver over 20,000 turkeys and gift cards, a total value of over $500 thousand, to hunger relief organizations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island this holiday season.

Food Insecurity Across Nassau and Suffolk is Growing:

• 313,800 Long Islanders face food insecurity or not having enough to eat on a consistent basis.
• 71,500 of that number are children.
• Approximately 40% of food-insecure Long Island households are above the federal poverty level but don’t make enough to keep up with the high cost of living in Nassau and Suffolk counties, making them ineligible for food assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• 46,627 seniors visited Long Island Cares Pantries in 2024.
• Island Harvest Food Bank is on track to distribute over 21 million pounds of food in 2025 which far exceeds that which was given out during the height of the pandemic (approx. 18 million pounds 2020-21, an 88% increase pre-pandemic.

Causes:

• Inflation and the region’s high cost of living: Rising prices make it difficult for many working families to afford food.
• High cost of housing: High housing costs can leave households with less money for necessities like food.
• Loss of pandemic-era benefits: The expiration of boosted SNAP benefits has cut aid to low-income families.