Giving Back to Community Corporation, an Elmont-based nonprofit that helps fight hunger locally and overseas, raised roughly $16,000 during its Breaking Bread, Building Futures gala on Oct. 5.
The gala, hosted at Golden Terrace Banquet Hall in Richmond Hill invited donors out for a night of raffles, dancing, dinner and guest speakers.
Professor Chiedu Okala from Virginia who gave a general overview of the organization’s impact and the need to support its mission. Boash Ebo, of Pennsylvania, spoke about the organization’s impact in Onitsha, Nigeria. Everrett Leach, of Elmont, spoke about the organization’s impact locally. Nneka Emeagwali, of Elmont, gave a tribute to our late member of the organization.
Attendees traveled from states away, Canada and Nigeria to attend the gala.
“They help us to support the vital work that we are doing,” Emilian Emeagwali, founder of Giving Back to Community Corporation, said. “The more people that come, the better for us. It shows me that there really are so many people who care about our needy.”
The gala celebrated the success of the year past and looked forward to helping more people in need this year.
The funds raised during the gala will help Giving Back to Community Corporation with its upcoming third-annual Thanksgiving food drive.
“We are going to use the funds to give turkey during the Thanksgiving distribution,” Emeagwali said.
The Thanksgiving drive will take place at 31 East Merrick Road in Valley Stream on Nov. 23. Last year the drive helped feed roughly 70 people. This year, she hopes to feed up to 100 people who would otherwise not be able to afford a Thanksgiving dinner.
“We already have people who are indicating that they need the help,” she said.
Beneficiaries of the food drive hail from New York City and throughout Nassau County, including Elmont and Valley Stream.
Emeagwali will also travel to Nigeria again Dec. 21 to give rice to those hungry overseas.
“Last year was so rowdy because of the shortage of food,” she said. “So I pray that we get more money so that there will be enough money so that there will be enough food for people that come.”
To learn more about Giving Back to Community Corporation or donate, visit GivingBackToCommunity.org.
The gala was made possible by sponsors including Jackie Grabin, State of The ART Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, HCO Architects Henry Onochie, Walic Pepsi Cola Beverage Distributor Christopher Emeagwali, Eugene Agbimson, Chief Jide Ebo Abga Oriogu, of Onitsha, Patrick Emeagwali, Oduche Igboechi, Bosah L. Ebo and Ralu Onubogu.