Since 1996, our family has coordinated a program in which we provide the fixings for families in need to make their own Thanksgiving dinner and deliver full hot turkey dinners to homebound senior citizens on Thanksgiving Day.
While the first 5 years of this were done through JB’s Pub, a bar/restaurant we owned in Mineola, since 2001 we have been coordinating this program from our home with the support of many wonderful people and organizations.
Though Covid restrictions may not be as strict as last year, we still plan to take a cautious approach to ensure that all involved are safe.
Due to current economic conditions, the need for assistance at the holidays is as great as ever. With that in mind, the following is what we are planning and how you may be able to contribute.
We will be providing all the fixings for 30 local families to make their own meal, which includes a large amount of fresh produce. We would appreciate donations of the following items: cans of cranberry sauce; 48oz-64oz plastic bottles or cans of fruit juice, V-8, or ice tea as well as single-serving plastic bottles/cans of the same.
We kindly ask – no glass bottles, no juice boxes, no water, no soda. We will also need 30 16-20 pound frozen turkeys for the families. These items can be dropped off at our home at 35 Maxwell Road in Garden City. Please call us as soon as possible to coordinate a convenient drop-off time.
We will be providing full hot dinners for approximately 225 homebound seniors. We will be accepting homemade desserts and breads this year, but will not be asking anyone to roast and slice any turkeys for us as we will be purchasing the turkey cooked and sliced for us from a local market.
If you are unable to purchase or bake items needed, we gratefully accept financial donations.
Hot meals will be delivered on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, starting at 12 noon.
Visits this year will be allowed, but we urge you to exercise caution. Due to the age of our recipients, we ask that you wear a face mask while delivering the meals. We would recommend that a safe distance be kept from the recipient.
We deliver meals throughout Nassau County; please call us if you are able to help with the delivery of the meals.
This year will be the 27th year we have coordinated this project! It is a special part of our family tradition, and we invite you to make it part of yours, as well.
Your generous donations of food, money, and time have made the deliveries a tremendous success each year. With your help, we can continue to bring a meal and a smile to those who are alone on the holiday.
Feel free to contact us at 516-746-8331 regarding any part of this program.
We thank you all for your continued support each year!
Melinda and John Alford
Garden City
