Help A Family Celebrate Thanksgiving In Central Westchester

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — The Interfaith Emergency Food Pantry, which serves communities in central Westchester, needs help now so they can help more than 300 families make Thanksgiving meals.

Pantry volunteers are working on acquiring enough turkeys, chickens and hams to give out, and they're securing seasonal fresh produce too for the families they serve in Pleasantville, Chappaqua, Hawthorne, Thornwood, Valhalla and Armonk.

You can help with the rest.

Supply from one to five parts of the meal. You can choose just one or all … it’s up to you and your personal resources.

Because families may lack adequate cooking facilities, seasonings, spices, etc., all the items which food pantry volunteers are requesting are easy to prepare, shelf-stable, in sizes and shapes that are manageable to pack, and include no glass containers.

• BAG #1: MASHED POTATOES & STUFFING: One 13.75-oz box instant mashed potatoes; 1 quart boxed milk (like Parmalot), whole or 2%; 2 boxes prepared Turkey or Chicken stuffing mix (like Stove Top); 3 packets of turkey or chicken gravy mix
• BAG #2: VEGETABLE SIDES: 2 cans mixed vegetables; 2 cans peas & carrots; 2 cans spinach
• BAG #3: MISCELLANEOUS SIDES: 2 boxes of macaroni & cheese; 2 cans of whole corn; 2 boxes of cornbread mix (like Jiffy)
• BAG #4: DESSERT (CHOOSE ONE OR BOTH): Bag 4A - Chocolate pie: One large or 2 small packets of chocolate pudding/pie mix (reg or sugar-free); 1 quart boxed milk (like Parmalot), whole or 2%; 1 ready-to-use pie crust (chocolate or graham cracker); Optional: I box Dream Whip
• Bag 4B: Pumpkin pie: 1 30-oz can complete Easy Pumpkin Pie (ex: Libbys); 1 can evaporated milk; 1 box pie crust mix
• BAG #5: BEVERAGES: 1 can medium roast coffee AND/OR 1 3.75-oz box of tea; 1 64-oz apple juice or cider (unsweetened preferred, plastic container)

Please put the number on each paper or plastic bag you drop off, so that the volunteers can easily identify it and make sure the items are included in the family meal.

WHERE TO BRING YOUR BAGS: Some of your neighbors have offered to be a drop-off point to collect the items, making it convenient for you to donate.

• 208 Fairview Drive, Pleasantville, near Pace (front porch, bin provided)
• 197 Broadway, Pleasantville (top of driveway, side door, under awning)
• 21 Guion St, Pleasantville, near Bedford Rd School (front porch, bin provided)
• 139 Marietta Ave, Hawthorne, off Stevens Ave (front porch, bin provided)
• 254 Sherman Ave, Hawthorne, off Frankford St (front steps, bin provided)

WHEN TO DELIVER: through Sunday

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. 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.