Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State is partnering with Walmart, Wegmans, the National Supermarket Association and the Community Service Society of New York this Thanksgiving Week to help deliver meals to feed more than 35,000 people statewide.
"Thanksgiving is an opportunity not just to reflect on our values of gratitude and service to others but also to act on those values," Governor Cuomo said. "This partnership will provide thousands of families across the state with a warm meal to enjoy. I encourage every New Yorker to take time today to reflect and find a way that they can give back this week and throughout the holiday season."
"Thanksgiving is about more than being thankful, it is about acting on it by helping those less fortunate," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This partnership with Walmart, Wegmans, National Supermarket Association, and the Community Service Society will provide families across the state with a warm, delicious meal to enjoy on Thanksgiving. I encourage all New Yorkers to find ways to offer a helping hand and give back throughout the holiday season to help those who are less fortunate and in need."
Thanks to generous food donations from Walmart, Wegmans, and the National Supermarket Association, Thanksgiving turkeys are being packaged and delivered to feed over 35,000 New Yorkers statewide.
Upstate New York-based Wegmans donated meals to feed over 1,900 New Yorkers in Western and Central New York, and New York City. Wegmans recently opened its first store in New York City, located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which donated meals to feed 500 New Yorkers.
As the nation's largest grocer, last year alone, Walmart donated more than $50,000 across the state of New York in cash and in-kind donations in the fight against hunger. Donations by Walmart helped feed over 30,000 people.
This year, New York State is proud to partner with the Community Service Society of New York to distribute turkeys and other foods statewide. The Community Service Society has worked for over 175 years to implement real solutions to help low-income New Yorkers find a path out of economic hardship. CSS works with both the public and private sectors to create real opportunity for every New Yorker so that they can take care of their families and loved ones.
Jason Klipa, Director of Public Affairs for Walmart in New York, said, "Walmart is proud to once again partner with Governor Cuomo and the State of New York to put a little extra joy on the Thanksgiving tables of thousands of New Yorkers. While the holiday season can often remind us that there are many in need, we hope everybody can find even the smallest ways to help those who are less fortunate throughout the entire year."
Linda Lovejoy, Wegmans Community Relations Manager, said, "We're committed to reducing hunger and giving back to the communities where our customers and employees live and work. Through our continued partnership with Governor Cuomo, we're able to deliver on that commitment and help ensure families have a warm meal to gather around during this special time of year."
Elizabeth Peralta, Executive Director, National Supermarket Association, said, "We could not be prouder to partner with Governor Cuomo. It is truly a gift for us to be able to continue to give back to the communities we serve. For the National Supermarket Association, this is only another opportunity for us to make a difference in the lives of our customers and continue to serve our mission to empower them"
David R. Jones, President and CEO of CSS, said, "The Community Service Society is proud to partner with Governor Cuomo, Walmart, Wegmans and the National Supermarket Association to deliver Thanksgiving turkeys to needy families in our city. Through our network of community based partners, CSS helps low-income New Yorkers participate in education, job training and workforce opportunities. Using this same network, and in the spirit of the season of giving, we are honored to be part of this effort to feed New Yorkers this Thanksgiving."