Sunday, November 15, 2026
As Thanksgiving approaches, the Merrick Kiwanis Club is calling on residents to help their neighbors in need through its annual holiday food drive, continuing a decadeslong tradition of generosity and community support.
The drive will take place Nov. 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Stop & Shop, 2160 South Merrick Mall in Merrick. Residents are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items or make monetary contributions to help local families facing food insecurity during the holiday season.
All donations will benefit the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard, located at Brookside School and operated by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District in conjunction with its alternative education program. The cupboard provides food assistance to families throughout the community while protecting their privacy.
Dave Denenberg, a Merrick Kiwanis board member and chairman of the club's annual food drives, said the Thanksgiving collection has been a community tradition for more than four decades.
"This drive, I've run it for the last 10 plus years," Denenberg said. "I'm a former legislator, so I've been involved with this food drive for over 30 years."
Last year's collection filled 44 SUVs with donated food over a single weekend, an accomplishment Denenberg hopes the community can build on this Thanksgiving.
"We filled 44 SUVs full of food just from one weekend," he said. "That's some boxes filling those SUVs to the brim."
Before the community cupboard was established, Kiwanis worked directly with local school districts to identify families who needed assistance and deliver food to their homes. Today, the partnership with the cupboard allows donations to reach families through an established distribution program.
The club also organizes a spring food drive, typically in April or May, to provide additional support throughout the year. Monetary contributions collected during the drives are converted into gift certificates for families in need.
Denenberg emphasized that community food drives are especially important during the holidays, when families struggling with grocery costs and other everyday expenses may face additional financial pressures.
"In this particular time when the price of groceries is higher than ever before, the need is greater than ever before," Denenberg said. "But the gift of giving is also greater than ever before."
Merrick Kiwanis President Barbi Rogonia echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of looking out for neighbors whose financial struggles may not always be visible.
"Especially during this time of year, it’s important to remember those in our community who may be struggling," Rogonia said. "We don’t always see the hardships our neighbors face, but we can come together to make a difference."
For Rogonia, the food drive reflects the club's commitment to supporting local families and strengthening community connections.
"At Merrick Kiwanis, we believe in treating our neighbors like family and lending a helping hand to those in need," she said. "That’s what community is all about."
Residents can drop off donations at Stop & Shop, 2160 South Merrick Mall, on either day of the drive. All contributions, large or small, are welcome.
