With food insecurity reaching record levels across Long Island, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union announced that its 17th Annual Turkey Drive to benefit Island Harvest Food Bank will take place on Nov. 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at FourLeaf’s headquarters, 899 South Oyster Bay Rd. in Bethpage.
Since its launch in 2008, the FourLeaf Turkey Drive has become Long Island’s largest one-day food drive, collecting more than 55,000 turkeys and 264,000 pounds of food for Island Harvest. All donations directly help supply Thanksgiving meals to families in need through Island Harvest’s network of over 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, and other hunger-relief programs across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
This year, the need is more urgent than ever. According to Feeding America’s® 2023 Map the Meal Gap report, 240,470 Long Islanders lived with food insecurity in 2023, a 10% increase from 2022 when 221,190 residents were food insecure. That means one in 12 Long Islanders (8.3%) struggles to put food on the table, compared to one in 13 the year before. Among children, 44,520 experienced food insecurity in 2023, representing 7.2% of all children on Long Island.
“Last year’s drive collected a record-breaking 5,800 turkeys, more than 28,177 pounds of food and $71,129 in donations, far surpassing all previous numbers,” said Linda Armyn, President and CEO of FourLeaf Federal Credit Union. “We are so grateful to the Long Island community – businesses, schools, and families – who step up year after year. With food insecurity at an all-time high, this year’s drive is more important than ever. Our mission at FourLeaf is to enrich the lives of our neighbors, and nothing is more meaningful than helping ensure thousands of families can share a warm holiday meal together.”
Island Harvest is preparing to distribute a record 20 million pounds of food this year, exceeding levels distributed during the pandemic. “Many Long Island families continue to face difficulties paying for increased prices for such basic commodities as food, clothing and fuel. Add in the region’s high cost of living, and many find themselves living on the edge of making tough decisions between paying for rent, transportation and medicine, and buying food,” explains Randi Shubin Dresner, President and CEO, Island Harvest. “With proposed federal cutbacks and other economic uncertainty, support from our longtime partner, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union and generous Long Islanders and businesses who support the annual FourLeaf Turkey Drive is more important than ever in helping our neighbors in need enjoy a brighter, more hopeful holiday season.”
The FourLeaf Turkey Drive offers residents the convenience of Drive-Through Donation Lanes, where volunteers remove frozen turkeys, non-perishable food items, and cash contributions directly from vehicles. Non-perishable foods most needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk (no glass containers). For those unable to attend in person, online donations are being accepted here; every gift of $35 helps provide a complete holiday meal for a Long Island neighbor in need. Donations can also be made at any FourLeaf branch.
Community involvement is at the heart of the FourLeaf Turkey Drive, with local youth also encouraged to participate. Girl Scouts who donate will receive a special commemorative patch, and troop leaders may collect donations on behalf of their members.
Since its inception in 2008, the FourLeaf Turkey Drive has become a cherished Long Island tradition, powered by hundreds of volunteers and thousands of donors. Each year, the effort ensures tens of thousands of Long Islanders in need can sit down to a Thanksgiving meal. Today, Island Harvest provides food assistance to approximately 6,000 individuals every week, a sobering reminder of the drive’s continued importance.
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in the Northeast and the 15th largest in the nation, remains committed to supporting the communities it serves through its FourLeaf Cares program, investing heavily in local initiatives that promote equity, belonging, and stronger, healthier communities.
For more information about the Turkey Drive or to make an online donation, click here.
About Island Harvest Food Bank
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading human services organization whose mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. We accomplish this through innovative programs and services aimed at enhanced hunger awareness, short-term case management, nutrition education, outreach and advocacy initiatives, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, our organic farm, and efficient food collection and distribution. Our work directly supports children, families, seniors, and veterans who turn to us in times of crisis and when needed and supports a network of 300 community-based nonprofit organizations. Island Harvest Food Bank is a member of Feeding America®, a nationwide network of food banks leading the effort to solve hunger in the U.S.
To learn more, visit islandharvest.org.
About FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union (FourLeaf) is a financial institution committed to enriching the lives of its members, employees, and the communities it has served for over 80 years. FourLeaf is the 16th largest credit union in the nation. In addition to giving back to its members in the form of competitive rates and fees, the FourLeaf Cares Program supports local initiatives through charitable giving, financial literacy, and volunteerism.
A Certified Great Place to Work® and a Glass Door Best Place to Work for Small & Midsize companies, FourLeaf is a federally chartered credit union, available to people nationwide who open a $5 membership account. FourLeaf offers a robust digital platform that allows members to bank from anywhere. FourLeaf is part of the Co-op network that gives members access to their accounts at over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide and 5,000+ shared branches across the U.S. As a financial cooperative, FourLeaf is a best-in-class financial institution that offers a wide array of products and services to meet members’ needs.
For more information on FourLeaf’s robust portfolio of banking, borrowing, and investment services, visit fourleaffcu.com or call 1-800-628-7070.
