Turkeys can’t fly, but when it comes to helping neighbors facing a bleak Thanksgiving due to financial hardship, the West Hempstead community flew into action.
Via word of mouth and social media, a group of generous souls gathered up 18 uncooked birds as well as side dish ingredients like sweet potatoes and pie crusts to spread holiday cheer. In all, 14 families benefited, says Rebecca Binstock, who organized the donations along with Jessica Hoenig.
Hoenig and her husband, Avrum, routinely collect surplus food at their home for anyone in need.
“I have organized a bunch of things in the neighborhood including a Chanukah gift collection for families in need, food, etc,” Binstock, a special education teacher, told the Echo. “As a result I started a chesed (charity) WhatsApp chat. Jessica Hoenig, who does a lot of things in the community with feeding families in need wrote that she has 14 families in need of Thanksgiving food but would really like to cook it themselves. I decided to make a perfect potluck sign-up so people can sign up and we can make sure everyone gets what they need. Many people donated money as well.”
Binstock said she is looking ahead to the festival of Chanukah next month to organize a similar effort.
If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity and need assistance, contact the West Hempstead food bank at http://www.whfoodbank.org/contact-us, or contact The Echo on our Facebook page or at www.westhempsteadecho.com.
