East Meadow Kiwanis collects food for local families

East Meadow Kiwanians of all ages were out in the community last weekend collecting for the Holiday Food Drive at Waldbaum’s and Pathmark.

A small group of Kiwanis members were stationed outside at the entrance to Walbaum’s handing out fliers and telling customers which items they were collected, urging them to make a contribution. The items were then handed off to two members near the exit who packed the food for the truck.

Meanwhile, Bowling Green K-Kids and Woodland and W.T. Clarke Middle School Builders Club Kiwanians made up the majority of volunteers down the block at Pathmark.

Jay Steinmetz, community service chairman, was at the Waldbaum’s on Sunday and said that donations were coming in slowly. East Meadow Kiwanis President Mitchell Allen, who was at Pathmark, agreed. He added that they had only collected two-thirds of what was needed with two hours remaining. However, the Passover/Easter collection is always slower than the Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah collections and all designated families will receive enough food to cook a holiday meal for their loved ones.

Kiwanians will go out this week and use club funds to purchase remaining items, like the meat and potatoes. They will also meet again on Friday, March 30 at W.T. Clarke High School to divide the food into more than 100 baskets that will be delivered the following morning.

If you would like to make a contribution to the East Meadow Kiwanis Holiday Food Drive, contact Jay Steinmetz at (516) 435-5278 or jsteinme@optonline.net.