Thanksgiving food drives nearby

Thanksgiving and the upcoming December and January holidays are a joyous time for most Nassau County families, but every year, neighbors go hungry. It’s an unfortunate reality, although each year, charity organizations and students pitch in to help.

Here is a list of some local collection events you can donate to make a positive difference in your community:

SUBHED: Malverne

The sixth grade Advisory and Community Service Club will be holding a Thanksgiving Food Drive at Howard T. Herber Middle School to benefit the INN in Hempstead. The event runs thru Nov. 20.

Davison Avenue Ambassadors are hosting their annual thanksgiving food drive with all donations being donated to the INN in Hempstead. All Mathletics students will be working together across grades to create Thanksgiving Math Mats.

Students will donate the hand-decorated, math-focused place mats with messages of cheer, hope, and love along with the food we collect. Fifth grade mathematics students will also be collecting data on the food collected to create an organized bar graph representing the impact a community can have when it comes together in a common altruistic goal.

The 28^th Annual YES WE CAN Maurice W. Downing Thanksgiving Food Drive takes place thru Nov. 20. All donations benefit local families.

SUBHED: Turkeys for Veterans

Team Every Veteran Appreciated is giving frozen turkeys and bags of canned goods to veterans. In Nassau County, giveaway is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19 from 1-4 p.m. at the Marine Corps League-Sunrise Detachment, 99 New York Ave., Massapequa.

Any veteran is able to receive a free frozen turkey and bag of canned goods for Thanksgiving while supplies last.

To donate for the event, visit GoTeamEVA.org. Team EVA is a non-profit organization that supports and honors veterans across Long Island.

SUBHED: Turkey and Trimming collection

Island Harvest is holding its annual Turkey and Trimming Collection Campaign thru Dec. 30 for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Anyone who wants to help can make a monetary contribution or drop off traditional holiday food items, personal care items, or grocery gift cards.

Some of the items needed are: canned tuna or chicken, vegetable, olive or canola oil, canned vegetables, and more.

For more information, call (516) 294-8528. Visit IslandHarvest.org for a complete list of needed items and a list of drop-off locations.

— Compiled by Mark Nolan