Take the Turkey Challenge

Did you know that one in eight New London County residents is food insecure? That’s 34,670 of your neighbors. In addition, one in six, or 10,840, children is food insecure.

This year, the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center is challenging all New London County residents to donate a frozen turkey to help provide all Southeastern Connecticut families in need with a holiday meal.

The goal is to collect 3,500 turkeys which are used to fill traditional holiday baskets and support holiday community meal sites in New London County. Last year, the Food Center distributed 3,148 turkeys and the demand this year has increased.

Donations can be dropped off at the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center located at 374 Broad Street in New London, on weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The deadline for donations is November 10th, and turkeys should be frozen.

Since 1988, the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center, a program of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, has played a key role in providing one of the building blocks to a good quality of life by feeding food insecure individuals and families all across our community. The Food Center provides food and household items to more than 90 free emergency food assistance programs throughout New London County including shelters, food pantries, after-school programs, day care centers, community meal sites, and programs for seniors. In 2013, the Food Center helped to feed more than 22,000 people each month through feeding sites and the organization’s mobile food pantry program.

For more than 25 years, the Food Center has been alleviating hunger and helping those in need in New London County. To learn more visit www.uwsect.org/food-center.