Hauppauge Rotary, LI Cares Kick Off Turkey Drives

Two Hauppauge nonprofit organizations are kicking off their Thanksgiving turkey drives. Both the Hauppauge Rotary Club and are turning to local residents for support. 

The Hauppauge Rotary Club is hoping collect 20 turkeys to be given out to Hauppauge families in Thanksgiving food baskets put together by 's Interact Club. 

Steven Browne, a rotary club member, said there's an increased need for food baskets in Hauppauge and he hopes the club can rise to the challenge. 

"One year, Interact asked us for nine turkeys. Then last year, they asked for 11," Browne said. 

Donated turkeys can be dropped off at the up through Nov 20. Those seeking to give a turkey or monetary donation to the rotary club's turkey drive can reach Browne directly at 631-513-0647. 

"Our goal is 20, but we can take as many as we can get as the school will distribute them somewhere," Browne said. 

All donated turkeys will be given to the Interact Club, who will pair it with nonperishables donated through its food drive to deliver complete holiday meals with trimmings to local families in need. 

The increased need in Hauppauge is reflective of a larger, growing hunger issue on Long Island. 

"This year we are seeing an increase of about 10 percent in the number of people utilizing the services of the nearly 600 community-based food pantries and hunger assistance programs that are supported by our organization, including a growing number of young families, disabled veterans and individuals that remain unemployed, " said Paul Pachter, executive director of Long Island Cares, in a statement. 

LI Cares is accepting donations of frozen turkeys, chickens, hams at its Hauppauge-based warehouse in hopes of meeting demands from food distribution and pantries in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The nonprofit will also accept "Turkey Certificates" or supermarket gift cards.