On a chilly November morning, volunteers and friends gathered together inside of Saint Clare of Assisi School as instructions were given on the roles of each volunteer.
Inside of the school’s cafeteria were tables full of different food items, from dry goods to fresh fruits, as volunteer’s hurriedly packed each item of food into individual brown paper bags. These bags were prepared to be given to needy families so that they could have a Thanksgiving meal. While the assembly line took care of the bags, other volunteers unloaded trucks of frozen turkeys and pies.
Every year, the Morris Park Kiwanis Club organizes a food drive and giveaway so that Bronx families experiencing difficult times can still celebrate the holidays. Each family is pre-screened and approved by local Bronx community programs like church groups or civic associations. Members of the Kiwanis Club used their own money to make this Thanksgiving giveaway possible.
Family members and friends of the club helped to distribute frozen turkeys, pasta, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, soda, juice, gravy mix, cans of peas, and pumpkin pies. Fresh apples, pears, and sweet potatoes were provided by the Hunt’s Point Terminal Market. Also on hand to help were students from St. Clare of Assisi School and members of the Girl Scouts.
Each year brings along new volunteers, but many have been helping out for years. “I helped out last year and went home feeling so good that I wanted to do it again. It makes me feel good to give back to my community.” said Andrea Siegel, a community resident.
By mid-afternoon, the Morris Park Kiwanis Club and volunteers had distributed food to over 200 families.
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