Elmont organization raises money to feed the hungry

Last year, Giving Back to Community Corporation was able to help 2,000 people locally and overseas. This year, organization founder Emilian Emeagwali hopes to help 3,000 people.

Emeagwali, organization members and the Elmont community gathered to raise approximately $30,000 for the hungry at a gala on Oct. 6.

The gala celebrated the work the nonprofit has accomplished in the past year. It was the second annual international fundraiser hosted by Giving Back to Community.

Funds raised at the event will be used to feed families during the holiday season both locally and in Nigeria, and fund women’s businesses in Nigeria. Some of the women whose businesses have been helped by the organization in the past are now financially independent. They no longer need food donations during the holidays because they can support their families from the profits they’ve made.

“Your generosity today is going to put thousands of smiles on the faces of people in need,” she said to those who donated to the organization’s efforts. “Thank you for creating a brighter future for our vulnerable in the community. Thank you for making a difference in the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this movement.”

On behalf of all of the people who have been helped by the organization, Anthony Emengo spoke to attendees about the aid they have given those in need.

“Thanks to your kind donations, we are able to start businesses,” Emengo said of the women helped in Nigeria.

Attendees watched several videos that showed people who have been helped in Nigeria. The videos featured several Nigerian women entrepreneurs who talked about their success.

Aliyaah Toussaint, an Elmont resident, was one of several students who went to Nigeria to help those in need. She said the trip helped her learn the reach of the foundation and inspired her.

“The way that this foundation is providing the basic necessities that every person in this world should get — food, water, clothing — it is so important,” Toussaint said.

Through the foundation, Toussaint highlighted the importance of giving back to the community and how the kindness multiplies.

“It’s not just one person you’re helping —those people help themselves and their families, and in turn just help their whole community,” she said.

Giving Back to Community volunteer Cassandra Wright has helped distribute food to the homeless in the Elmont region and New York City for the past two years. She urged people to donate to the organization’s efforts so that it can continue to help those in need.

The organization was presented a citation from the county at the event for its contributions to the Elmont community. Arrow Exterminating, a longtime supporter of Giving Back to Community, also received a citation from the county.

Five students received scholarships at the event — 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.

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