Organization hopes to raise $100,000 to fight hunger

Giving Back to Community Corporation will host a fundraiser Oct. 6 at the Inn at New Hyde Park to raise money and fight hunger on the local and international scales.

Emilian Emeagwali, founder of the organization, said she hopes the event can surpass its fundraising goal of $100,000 this year.

“The more we get, the more people will benefit,” Emeagwali said.

This would help the group achieve some of its goals. Giving Back to Community gives out food during the holiday season both locally and in Nigeria, and helps finance women’s businesses in Nigeria.

The women whose businesses have received help from the organization reached out to say they no longer needed the food donations. The success they’ve achieved has helped them provide for their families.

“They did not come to participate in the last year’s food distribution because they felt like they were in a better position now to care for their families,” Emeagwali said.

Last year, Emeagwali said that Giving Back to Community was able to help 2,000 people eat between Elmont and Nigeria. However, this year Emeagwali expects to help over 3,000 people.

The money fundraised by the organization will help families during Thanksgiving as well as the December holiday season. Emeagwali said volunteers will go out to purchase holiday food staples and deliver the food to families in need locally.

“That’s what we did last year, but this year we want to do it on a larger scale,” she said.

Several groups have sponsored the fundraiser, including HCO Incorporated of Indianapolis, Walic Beverage Distributor of Brooklyn, and State of the Art Physical Therapy Rehabilitation of Valley Stream. Walic Beverage Distributor and State of the Art Physical Therapy Rehabilitation each donated $1,000 to the fundraiser.

Several people who have received help from Giving Back to Community Corporation will speak about their experiences at the fundraiser.

Aliyaah Toussaint will narrate her experience in last year’s food distribution in Nigeria, assisted by her representative Anthony Emengo. Cassandra Wright will speak about her experience with the organization’s homeless recipients locally.

Five students will be awarded scholarships at the event from the organization as well: Diana Vazquez, a second-year student at York College; Jaci Baijnath, a second-year student at Stony Brook University; Yasmine Murchison, a first-year student at Molloy University; Nick Defreitas, a 10th grader at New York City Lab School for Collaborative Studies; and Dazha Green, a 9th grader at New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities IV.

The event is open to all and registration is $120 per adult and $50 per child. The event capacity is 125 people, so be sure to register before the Sept. 20 deadline.

The fundraiser will go from 7-11 p.m. and have a DJ playing mixed music for the crowd. Food will be provided from the Inn and a cocktail hour with an open bar will be available to those over 21 years old.

People are encouraged to dress comfortably, be themselves and have fun at the fundraiser.

“There’s going to be mixed cultures from different countries will attend and I want people to mingle about and learn about each other,” Emeagwali said.

To donate to Giving Back to Community Corporation’s cause and help fight hunger internationally, visit GivingBackToCommunity.org.