Thankful!
During November, our New LIFE Center in Uniondale, New York received 16,500 pounds of food from Island Harvest, Long Island Cares, and individuals.
A total of 120 turkeys and 160 chickens were donated for the Thanksgiving baskets we distribute. Roughly 300 of them included extra “fixings” for the Thanksgiving feast.
We’d like to spotlight the contributions of Abigail Butte, a student at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business who is an assisting minister and lector at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockville Centre, New York.
When she was five years old, Abigail became a member of the social ministry committee. As a middle schooler, she participated in her first food drive for our New LIFE Center, Uniondale. In high school, she assumed responsibility for the annual Thanksgiving chicken drive. Since then, she’s grown the chicken drive to new heights, organizing the donation of 69 chickens and 19 turkeys to LSSNY thus far!
Abigail is thankful to Jimmy Hays, the owner of Jimmy Hays Steakhouse in Island Park who helped her source and store chickens in addition to making a personal donation.
Says Abigail, “Because of the generosity of members of my church congregation, family, and friends, I will be able to buy additional chickens and turkeys that will be delivered to the Lutheran Social Services of New York food pantry for the upcoming holidays. I hope that my little chicken drive will help inspire others to find a way to give to their community as well.”
Thank you, Abigail, for your shining example.
Happy Thanksgiving!