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The church soup kitchen had almost no prepared meals for Thanksgiving going into last week, Gallagher said. The church’s main office lost power during Hurricane Sandy, as did many of those who planned to hold food donation drives for the kitchen. Additionally, the storm brought more people to the church's soup kitchen and shelters.
“We were afraid we were not going to have enough food to provide the meals at the soup kitchen,” she said.
The church, at 33 Bank St., sought help on Facebook and other places, prompting several community organizations to respond. That included the White Plains Fire Department, which held a food drive Saturday. Monday, the Fire Department brought to the soup kitchen 23 turkeys and “a lot of pies,” Gallagher said.
“We had an amazing outpouring of generosity in the past few days,” she said.
The Grace Community Church soup kitchen is stocked and ready to serve Thanksgiving meals from about noon to 1 p.m. Thursday.
Now, Gallagher is looking ahead.
“Since the storm, we’ve gotten calls all day every day, 60 a day,” she said. “I’m nervous about what’s going to happen next week, when it’s not Thanksgiving anymore and people are still hungry.”
In preparation for Christmas and New Year's, the church soup kitchen needs donations of turkeys and all the side dishes. Additional items in particular need include towels, toiletries, socks and underwear – preferably clean and unused store-packaged underwear – scarfs and hats.
To make a donation of food or time, call Gallagher at 914-949-3098, ext. 9735. You can also make a monetary donation online.
Volunteers are needed to help in the soup kitchen weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
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