Thanksgiving Dinner Supplied to Over 30 Families

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Poughkeepsie City School District on Monday supplied Thanksgiving dinners for dozens of families to have a happy and plentiful holiday Thursday.

Thanks to a generous donation of turkeys from former Board of Education member Deborah Long, the district provided more than 30 families with care packages that not only included the traditional Thanksgiving main course but also stuffing, cranberry sauce and mac and cheese from the Community Schools Department, and a wide variety of sides and goodies through the Food Service Department’s backpack program, including boxed milk, cans of tuna and ravioli, rice, crackers and other items.

The Office of School Engagement and Community Schools coordinated the giveaway and curated the list of recipients. Most families visited the Jane Bolin Administration Building Monday morning to pick up their packages, though Community Schools liaisons transported some directly to homes.

Long, a Poughkeepsie High School graduate, has donated turkeys each of the last three years and said she is looking forward to continuing to do it annually.

“I’m grateful. I’m grateful for life. I’m grateful for the values my mother instilled in me,” she said. “This is something I started just because I thought I could help families in need.”

Executive Director of School Engagement Da’Ron Wilson thanked the families for coming and introduced the Community Schools team, reminding everyone the liaisons and school caseworkers are available to provide assistance with needs throughout the year. The Community Schools Department runs a Community Closet food pantry and the Poughkeepsie Public School Teachers’ Association recently held a food drive to ensure Thanksgiving items were available through that resource, as well.

Events like these, “are exactly what Community Schools is for,” Wilson said.

“We know that this is a pressing time for all people,” he said, thanking Long and Food Service Director Shameka Watson. “so, we wanted to make sure we just give back. … Hopefully everybody has a nice and safe, happy holiday.”