Donors and volunteers serve up a Thanksgiving feast

Cedarhurst-based Rock and Wrap It Up! held it’s 26th annual Thanksgiving feast at St. John Baptist Church in Far Rockaway on Nov. 24. More than 800 meals were served by more than 270 volunteers in four, two-hour shifts. There was also takeout, free taxi service and volunteers drove dozens of families home with their holiday meals and pantry bags.

The feast is opened to everyone the Five Towns and Rockaway area, especially seniors, at-risk and single families, veterans and veteran care-givers. Local establishments prepared the trimmings and cooked the turkeys and hams, including Friendlier, the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club, Chateau Coffee Shop, Mother Kelly’s, Panera in Lawrence and the Seawane Club. Apple and Eve of Port Washington donated more than 1,000 juices. Wall’s Bakery and Costco in Lawrence provided cake and danishes. Michelle and Edward Schorenstein donated the turkeys and hams. Kosher meals were available, compliments of Ahuva’s Grill of Hewlett.

The Islanders ran a canned food drive at the Barclays Center for RWU. The Franklin Early Childhood Learning Center in Inwood collected cans for pantry bags. Merrill Lynch of Hewlett and Bellmore-Merrick schools provided funding and volunteers. The Bagelry and Island Bagel Bar provided breakfast for morning volunteers. The Yankees and Giants provided shopping bags. Donations are always needed. Call (516) 295-0670 or visit www.rockandwrapitup.org.