Saturday, October 3, 2026
Giving Back to Community Corp., an Elmont-based nonprofit aimed at addressing food insecurity across Long Island and Nigeria, is hosting its fourth annual gala, Hearts in Action, to raise funds for upcoming food distributions.
The afternoon event, set for Sept. 27 from noon to 5 p.m. at Leonard’s Palazzo in Great Neck, will feature raffles, giveaways, music, dancing, guest speakers, dinner, wine and more. Tickets are $120, with additional donations strongly encouraged.
The nonprofit’s founder, Emilian Emeagwali, who raised over $16,000 at last year’s gala, said her goal this year is much higher: $50,000.
In addition to funding the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas food distributions in Elmont and Onitsha, Nigeria — the village where she founded Giving Back to Community — Emeagwali is looking for a permanent space to host community events.
“We don’t have funds to pay the rent,” Emeagwali said. “If we can get enough funds to secure a space, no matter how small, we can store nonperishable foods and start doing distributions on a regular basis.”
Her goal is to host weekly distributions for those who consistently struggle to afford groceries in the current economy.
For now, Emeagwali hosts distributions out of her Elmont physical therapy office, which she said is not enough space to meet the growing need. She continues to search for spaces in Valley Stream and sought the help of local politicians to provide funding to expand the organization.
Emeagwali founded the nonprofit in 2009 after witnessing widespread poverty in her home country of Nigeria.
“It was deplorable,” Emeagwali said. “The hunger and food insecurity there is so alarming.”
She began buying large quantities of rice, beans, tomatoes, and other necessities, including school supplies, socks, and hygiene products. Since then, the effort has grown into a large-scale operation serving more than 2,500 Nigerians in need annually.
However, in 2020, as Covid began exacerbating food insecurity in communities like Elmont and others across Long Island, Emeagwali sprang into action and began operating local food distributions. Last year’s Thanksgiving turkey distribution served more than 70 local residents. However, she knows many more families are in need of food and other necessities.
“At Giving Back to Community, we feel no one should feel forgotten,” she said. “We are committed to uplifting families right here in Elmont and beyond. The money we raise goes directly to these families.”
Nadege Tassegalles, a friend of Emeagwali’s who began promoting the nonprofit’s events on social media in May, said she is passionate about Giving Back to Community’s mission of fighting poverty and food insecurity.
Tassegalles, already an active volunteer in Valley Stream before retiring, said she reignited her service by joining Emeagwali’s organization earlier this year.
“It’s nice to use your skills to help others,” she said. “Organizations like this are the bridge between despair and dignity. It’s not only to help people survive but to help them stand tall and empower them so they know they’re not invisible.”
She said she is appalled by the level of local poverty and food insecurity, stressing that many suffer in silence. She cited cuts to social programs such as Medicaid as factors contributing to rising poverty across Long Island. She said poverty is not a reflection of an individual’s work ethic but rather societal forces beyond their control.
She added that resources exist to provide food, shelter, and clothing for everyone, but many efforts to appeal to politicians are fruitless, leading her to believe that they simply don’t care.
“There’s no excuse for poverty,” she said. “I think as humans in the 21st century, we owe it to ourselves and others to help in any way we can. Having a roof over your head should be as universal as the sky above us.”
She said it is critical for communities to come together to help those harmed by society’s failure to support people who become impoverished through no fault of their own. Groups like Giving Back to Community, she said, are among the first steps in combating poverty.
Sandra Fernandez, a board member and volunteer of the nonprofit since 2022, said Emeagwali’s work is essential for the community to thrive. Already active in ministries and youth groups at her Queens church, Fernandez said she shared her experiences as a missionary with Emeagwali before decidng to volunteer.
“I have a high regard for those in need,” Fernandez said. “There’s not always an outreach program or a voice to speak up for them.”
Fernandez said she admires Emeagwali’s efforts because many are unaware that their neighbors struggle to afford basic needs such as food, health care, and education.
“I’m looking forward to more people becoming interested in our charity,” Fernandez said. “It’s beautiful to see the results of helping people in need. Your heart fills up when you know you can do something for somebody else.”
Tickets for the gala can be purchased through Zelle at (516) 993-0977, or at GivingBackToCommunity.org.
“It’s going to be a night of fun,” Emeagwali said, adding that it is for a good cause. “We invite all our neighbors to join us on Sept. 27 and be part of real change in our community.”
