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Community Corner

Ways to Donate Food and Time Locally on Thanksgiving

Organizations and businesses are accepting food donations and offering volunteer opportunities to residents.

With the holiday season here, the gift of giving and selflessness are in full swing as numerous local organizations are seeking volunteers to give time and more to those less fortunate. Here are some organizations in the area currently accepting volunteers and donations.

1. Island Harvest

Island Harvest is always looking for volunteers and donations for the holiday season. Volunteering opportunities include food transportation, supervision, and general volunteering ranging from handing out flyers to collecting food from nearby supermarkets.

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If you can't find the time to participate, you can always contribute. 7-Eleven locations throughout the Smithtown area are accepting frozen turkeys and canned or packaged food for Island Harvest, while Citibank, HSBC, McDonalds, and Cactus Salons only accept canned or packaged goods.

2. Smithtown Food Pantry

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, located at 90 Edgewood Ave in Smithtown, takes donations Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are always needed, even beyond the holiday season.

The pantry to those in need, with the help of local school districts, the senior center, town service clubs, and individuals.

3. The  8th Annual Gail Gorin Memorial Turkey Trot on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010

The annual Turkey Trot, which starts at the S.C.S.D Smithtown Elementary located at 51 Lawrence Avenue at 8:45 a.m., raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and has raised over $300,000 since its inception.

It's a great way to give back on Thanksgiving while getting a bit of exercise and spending time with friends and family.

4. Long Island Cares

Like Island Harvest, Long Island Cares is also in need of volunteers this holiday season. Opportunities include everything from administrative to distribution, fund raising and hands-on volunteer service within the community.

Long Island Cares will be accepting donations of non-perishable goods at the following nearby locations:

  • Islip Public Library, 71 Monell Avenue, Islip.  631-581-5933
  • Theresa's Family Cleaning, Rocky Point. 631-744-4021
  • Huntington Arts Council, 213 Main Street. 631-271-8423
  • Gino's Tuscany, 517 Main Street, Islip. 631-581-9510
  • Disc Graphics, 10 Gilpin Avenue, Hauppauge. 631-234-1400
  • Huntington Public Library, 338 Main Street. 631-427-5165
  • Gathering of Light, 655 Old Country Road, St. Lawrence of Canterbury, Dix Hills. 631-265-3822
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