Editorial

Now is the time to give

Posted

As the holiday season begins, our thoughts traditionally turn to the less fortunate. There are simply too many vulnerable members of our society — children from broken homes, senior citizens, the disabled, the homeless — to be ignored. There are families, perhaps even your next-door neighbors, who, at a glance, may seem to be living relatively normal lives, but in reality are struggling to make ends meet.

Thanksgiving, especially, is what the season of giving is all about. We all face our own challenges every day, and we can’t always focus on the needy, but at this time of year, we’re reminded to reflect on what we do have, to appreciate it, to think of those who are struggling and to do our part to help them.

We suggest making inquiries at your local house of worship, which may be in the midst of a food, money or toy collection drive. Those donations go directly back into your community. Your local fire departments, civic and advocacy groups, like the Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus and the Chamber of Commerce, may also be collecting.

There are many food banks and charities that would appreciate your help. Island Harvest, the largest hunger-relief organization on Long Island, serves as a bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it. The organization’s staff and volunteers collect food from restaurants, caterers, farms and other businesses and distribute it to a network of some 570 soup kitchens, food pantries and other nonprofit organizations that offer food to those in need. Island Harvest is now accepting volunteers for the holiday season for its Turkey and Trimmings Collection Campaign. In addition to volunteering, you can make a monetary donation to the food bank at www.islandharvest.org.

The Interfaith Nutrition Network of Hempstead, which helps hungry and homeless Long Islanders, operates 14 soup kitchens, including the Mary Brennan INN in Hempstead, the Long Beach Food and Friendship INN and the Freeport INN, which feed more than 5,000 people per week. In addition to nonperishable food, the organization accepts personal- and child-care items as well as monetary donations. Volunteers and those willing to sponsor a drive or a meal are also welcome. More information is available on the INN website, www.the-inn.org.

Please, remember those in your communities who are having a hard time feeding their families, or buying clothes or other necessities for their children, and give what you can this season.