The scent of roasting turkey and freshly baked stuffing filled the American Legion Hall in Massapequa earlier this week as volunteers from across Long Island gathered to prepare thousands of Thanksgiving meals for families in need.
For the Belmore Kiwanis Club, what began as a modest effort in 2020 has grown into a multi-day community tradition. That year, the club delivered 2,000 meals to local organizations and individuals during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, the project scaled up to anticipate 5,000 meals.
“We started small, and each year it’s grown,” said Andrew Meyerowitz, president of the Bellmore Kiwanis. “It’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the need on Long Island, but maybe a family doesn’t have to worry about where their Thanksgiving meal is coming from because of this project.”
Among the earliest volunteers was Gary Crozier, a Levittown Kiwanis member who has been involved since Meyerowitz first asked for help. Crozier, who was born and raised in Levittown and has spent decades volunteering through youth sports, church groups, and community organizations, said the project immediately resonated with him.
“Levittown was built for veterans returning home from World War II,” he said. “I’m a son of a veteran, a son-in-law of a veteran. It felt like my duty to help give back to the people who built what we have.”
Preparations began Sunday, but the bulk of the work took place from Nov. 24 to 26. Volunteers carved over 200 turkeys, portioned gravy, cranberry sauce, and side dishes, and assembled meals in an efficient assembly-line process. By midweek, everything was boxed, bagged, and ready for distribution.
Crozier’s responsibilities grew with the project. In the early years, he picked up equipment and supplies. More recently, he has more of a leadership role — overseeing setup, washing pans and utensils, coordinating with restaurant suppliers, and delivering finished meals.
The effort relies on donations and local partnerships. Gabriele Trucks provided a refrigerated truck for transporting food, Embassy Diner contributed hundreds of pounds of stuffing, and Kennedy High School’s Culinary and Hospitality CHAMPS program prepped 1,500 pounds of carrots. The New York Barbecue Brigade smoked all the turkeys, adding a signature touch to each meal.
Volunteers — including Kiwanis members from across Nassau County — spent long days at the hall ensuring every plate was ready.
“It’s a feel-good project,” Meyerowitz said. “You see a product going out to somebody who needs it, and it makes you feel good knowing someone isn’t going to have to worry about their Thanksgiving dinner.”
Crozier added that the hours are long, but the impact keeps him coming back.
“It lifts your heart,” he said. “If we can provide this one meal and lift someone’s spirits, that’s what it’s all about. We gain the most by giving back.”
The meals were distributed to 15 to 20 organizations across the island — including the Mary Brennan Inn in Hempstead, local school districts, Catholic Health Charities, and community groups.
Meyerowitz, whose family has a long history of Kiwanis service, called the project an essential part of the club’s mission to support children and families in the community.
“We’ve been doing projects for 70 years that directly impact people’s day-to-day lives,” he said. “This continues to bring us back every year.”
As families across Long Island sat down to Thanksgiving dinners this year, the work of Meyerowitz, Crozier, and the hundreds of volunteers at the American Legion Hall ensured that thousands of people had a seat at the table.
“It’s about helping people who need the help,” Meyerowitz said. “And when you think about the 350,000 individuals on Long Island who are food insecure, even a small effort can make a big difference.”
